Rochester Rhinos News Release -- www.rhinossoccer.com

Friday, July 6, 2012

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Rochester Rhinos face the Dayton Dutch Lions for the fourth and final time at Sahlen’s Stadium on Saturday night at 7:05 PM. The Rhinos took the first game of the series 1-0 through a goal by JC Banks on April 28th, but have tied the Dutch Lions in their last two meeting. The Rhinos' victory against Antigua Barracuda FC on Wednesday night gave the Rhinos two wins in their last three matches after ending a seven-game winless streak two weeks ago in Richmond.

“We played fairly well and got a big result at home on Wednesday.” Rhinos head coach Jesse Myers said. “We’ve been working hard in training to develop our team shape and attacking ideas. It’s been showing in our play over the past couple of weeks, but I think Wednesday night was our most consistent effort over 90 minutes in a while. Now the key for us is to go out and do it again.”

Kendell McFayden made his debut as a starter in the Rhinos' 4-1 win against the Barracudas, and set the pace with two first-half goals. The first came in the third minute after Tam McManus played him a through ball, and the second in the 18th minute after finishing a first-time ball over the top from Banks. Going into the match, McFayden had only played 81 minutes, and shot four times on goal.

Substitute Andrew Hoxie continued his dominance against the Barracudas with two second-half goals. Last year, Hoxie scored two goals in the first half against the Barracuda on July 3rd, the only multi-goal game that a Rhino had during the 2011 season. Hoxie’s four goals in 2012 season have placed him tied for ninth in USL goals, and tied for fourteenth in points with eight.

The Rhinos have not had two players record multi-goal games since May 23rd, 1999, when Mauro Biello and Yari Allnutt accomplished the feat.

Banks has continued to impress in his sophomore year with the Rhinos. The 22-year-old has seven assists on the season, two more than Kevin Molino of Orlando City, which leads USL PRO. In the past three games Banks has recorded seven points; he has 15 points on the season, which places him third among point leaders. The Rhinos are 7-1-1 when Banks' name is on the score sheet.

The three points from the Wednesday's win moved the Rhinos six points ahead of Wilmington, but leaves the Hammerheads with one match in hand. The win pulls the Rhinos within two points of second-placed Charleston in the USL PRO table, but the Battery have played two fewer games.

On Saturday night the Rhinos and Urology Associates will be presenting Men’s Health Night at Sahlen’s Stadium. The Rhinos will be wearing special blue jerseys to raise awareness of prostate cancer, which will be auctioned off using a special online auction with the proceeds going to the Lipson Cancer Center at Rochester General Hospital and ZERO: The Project to End Prostate Cancer. Cancer survivors will be participating in the ceremonial first kick. Camp Good Days will be on the field to form the pre-game youth tunnel. Free prostate cancer screenings will be provided on the concourse during the event.

For more details or to bid on a jersey please go to http://gobuyrochester.com.

Tickets for the Rhinos' game against the Dayton Dutch Lions can be purchased by calling 585-454-KICK, by visiting rhinossoccer.com, or by visiting any Ticketmaster retail location.