(Photo Credit: Mark Guthrel)
A physical and spirited Rochester Rhinos team took all three points in the second home game for Saint Louis FC as USL entered it’s fourth week of play.
In front of 5000 fans, Rochester took the game to Saint Louis from the opening kick off and totally outplayed the home team for the first 45 minutes. It was no surprise to coach Dale Schilly, he knew what to expect from the unbeaten Rhinos however he was far from happy as his team were out shot 6 to 1 in the first half. It certainly didn’t help Schilly losing defensive players Brandon Barklage and Richard Dixon early in the game to injuries.
“I was pretty angry at half time and words were said that left the players in no doubt my feelings” stated Schilly “But the performance in the second half picked up so we’ll take that as a silver lining”
It was in the second half that Saint Louis gained a better foothold of the game and has two excellent chances as Charles Renken missed a guilt edge chance and Jermie Lynch failed to connect on a scissor kick effort. However it was during this period of solid Saint Louis play that Rochester seized their opportunity and hit the Saints on a quick counter attack, it was Colin Rolfe who squeezed the ball past debutante Alec Kann into the far post on the 78th minute.
In discussing the enforced substitutions in the game Schilly said, “Losing Dixon and Barklage so early was a blow, but Jacob [Bushue] came in and added some physicality under difficult circumstances and Oskar Gasecki played well in his first minutes on the field for us, he is fit, just not match fit. However he’s a leader on the field and we need him.”
This loss leaves Saint Louis with 4 points from 4 games, they return to action on Saturday in another difficult game as they visit the Oklahoma City Energy, who are the only unbeaten team in the western conference.
