USSF D-II: Rochester takes victory on own goal

Posted Jul 28, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Jul 28, 2010 at 12:34 PM

Rochester turned the tables against Carolina to move within two points of Austin in the USL Conference after Tuesday night’s USSF Division II action.

ROCHESTER 1, CAROLINA 0: The Rhinos’ victory came courtesy of an own goal by Carolina’s Matt Bobo, who glanced a header into his own net from Jamie Franks’ angled ball into the penalty area in the 68th minute.

With Carolina goalkeeper Eric Reed staying on his line, Bobo was forced to try and clear the ball as he was retreating to the top of his 6-yard box, and Reed was unable to react in time to keep the header out.

The RailHawks had their chances as well, Floyd Franks hitting the crossbar in the first half while Neal Kitson also made a sharp save from Allan Russell, but the Rhinos held on to take victory and earn a little revenge for the RailHawks’ 1-0 victory in their last meeting.

TODAY’S GAMES

VANCOUVER (7-3-9) AT MONTREAL (6-7-5): The Whitecaps begin a five-game stretch away from home with a visit to the Stade Saputo on Wednesday night looking to get back to winning ways after a defeat to Portland and tie with Minnesota in its last two outings.

Montreal has had an up-and-down season so far, alternating losses and wins in its last four games. The Impact earned a 3-0 victory against St. Louis in their last outing a week ago, Tony Donatelli now having five goals on the season, and will be hoping for more consistency as they conclude a four-game home stand.

Vancouver took victory in their last trip to Montreal, a 2-1 win just under a month ago that saw Luca Bellisomo score a stoppage-time winner. Greg Janicki will be available after a suspension, as will left back Zurab Tsiskaridze who was cleared to play after suffering a minor ankle injury against Minnesota.

PORTLAND (7-5-5) AT ST. LOUIS (4-10-4): After finishing a four-game road trip with a 1-0 victory against Baltimore, the Saints return home for the opening game of a five-game home stand against the Timbers.

Mike Ambersley scored the only goal against Crystal Palace Baltimore, his third of the season, as the Saints have shown some life since the appointment of Dale Schilly. They will be strongly tested tonight by the Timbers, though, who have won four of their last five games.

That run has been powered by a tight defense, which had gone 481 minutes without conceding a goal before Vancouver’s Nizer Khalfan broke the streak in Thursday’s game against the Whitecaps. Ryan Pore and Mamadou Danso answered for the Timbers, though, Pore scoring his league-leading 11th goal of the season from the penalty spot in a 2-1 victory.