Rowdies 2 vs. NSC Minnesota 0
The Rowdies knocked off NSC Minnesota 2-0 Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium with its fourth consecutive home victory in league play and moved into sole possession of third place in the NASL standings. With the win, the Rowdies also extended its unbeaten streak to four games, equaling its season-high, and the four consecutive home wins extend a team record.
"The guys feel good about themselves, they feel good about each other, and they have a belief when they step on the field that they expect to not be beaten," said head coach Ricky Hill. "For me, that's a great feeling. After the game, I told them that there's a mood amongst the guys in the locker room and a camaraderie that is building and growing."
Midfielder Pascal Millien gave the Rowdies a 1-0 lead with a devastating long ball from about 30 yards out from the net that bypassed NSC Minnesota goalkeeper Joe Warren, hitting off the crossbar and into the goal in the 45th minute. Millien's goal was his fourth of the season and was assisted by midfielder Keith Savage. It marked the eighth straight game for the Rowdies with at least one goal in the first half.
"It was my lucky day," said Millien. "I think that's one of my best goals ever. As soon as I took the shot, I thought it was in. We are chasing a playoff spot right now so we have to keep working hard."
The Rowdies extended the lead in the 65th minute when team captain and defender Frankie Sanfilippo had his shot deflect off a Minnesota player and into the goal by the near post for a 2-0 lead. It was Sanfilippo's first goal of the year and came after a patient lead pass from forward Aaron King, who was credited with his fourth assist of the year. King has now scored at least one point in eight straight matches for the Rowdies and his four assists are tied for second-best on the club.
"We have seven more games to go and it's going to be an exciting race," said Sanfilippo. "To come out of this stretch with seven points after playing three games in eight days just shows how everybody on this team fought up and down the field. It was a big win for us tonight."
The Rowdies extended another team record with its sixth shutout of the year, including the third this season for rookie goalkeeper Jeff Attinella, who was superb with seven saves on the night. One of his best stops came in the 83rd minute, when he made a diving stop off a deflected free kick.
"The guys feel good about themselves, they feel good about each other, and they have a belief when they step on the field that they expect to not be beaten," said head coach Ricky Hill. "For me, that's a great feeling. After the game, I told them that there's a mood amongst the guys in the locker room and a camaraderie that is building and growing."
Midfielder Pascal Millien gave the Rowdies a 1-0 lead with a devastating long ball from about 30 yards out from the net that bypassed NSC Minnesota goalkeeper Joe Warren, hitting off the crossbar and into the goal in the 45th minute. Millien's goal was his fourth of the season and was assisted by midfielder Keith Savage. It marked the eighth straight game for the Rowdies with at least one goal in the first half.
"It was my lucky day," said Millien. "I think that's one of my best goals ever. As soon as I took the shot, I thought it was in. We are chasing a playoff spot right now so we have to keep working hard."
The Rowdies extended the lead in the 65th minute when team captain and defender Frankie Sanfilippo had his shot deflect off a Minnesota player and into the goal by the near post for a 2-0 lead. It was Sanfilippo's first goal of the year and came after a patient lead pass from forward Aaron King, who was credited with his fourth assist of the year. King has now scored at least one point in eight straight matches for the Rowdies and his four assists are tied for second-best on the club.
"We have seven more games to go and it's going to be an exciting race," said Sanfilippo. "To come out of this stretch with seven points after playing three games in eight days just shows how everybody on this team fought up and down the field. It was a big win for us tonight."
The Rowdies extended another team record with its sixth shutout of the year, including the third this season for rookie goalkeeper Jeff Attinella, who was superb with seven saves on the night. One of his best stops came in the 83rd minute, when he made a diving stop off a deflected free kick.
Lineups:
Rowdies Lineup: Attinella, Sanfilippo (Captain), Arango, Rodrigues, Yamada, Hill (Yoshitake 82'), Millien, Gyorio, Savage, Ambersley, King (Ukah 68')
NSC Minnesota Stars Lineup: Warren, Lorenz, Altman (Captain), Stewart, Kallman, Cosgriff (Del Do 68'), Takada (Gotsmanov 63'), Hlavaty, Rodriguez, Nunez, Walker (Friedland 78')
NSC Minnesota Stars Lineup: Warren, Lorenz, Altman (Captain), Stewart, Kallman, Cosgriff (Del Do 68'), Takada (Gotsmanov 63'), Hlavaty, Rodriguez, Nunez, Walker (Friedland 78')
Scoring Summary:
Rowdies: Pascal Millien - 45th minute (assisted by Keith Savage)
Rowdies: Frankie Sanfilippo - 65th minute (assisted by Aaron King)
Rowdies: Pascal Millien - 45th minute (assisted by Keith Savage)
Rowdies: Frankie Sanfilippo - 65th minute (assisted by Aaron King)
No comments:
Post a Comment