Junior Rhinos Boys Under 15 Win at Sahlen’s

Playing four tense 40 minute matches with virtually no substitutes, the Rochester Junior Rhinos U15 Boys captured the Sahlen’s Winter Indoor Soccer tournament this past weekend in a final that did not disappoint. Facing a team they are sure to see at some point in State Cup Competition, the Rhinos defeated the Syracuse Football Club 2-1 in penalty kicks after regulation ended 1-1.

In the title match, the Rhinos’ Alex Swanger (Penfield) created two scoring opportunities with dashing runs into the penalty area. He was fouled each time, sending Gianluca Cuomo (Greece) to the penalty spot. On the first, the SFC keeper made a diving save, but on the second attempt, just a few minutes later in the match, Cuomo held his nerve and scored the game’s first goal. Later in the game SFC scored when Emmanuel Collins got on the end of a through ball and slotted home the equalizer. From there the game was fought in the midfield with the Rhinos showing some nice possession.

When the final whistle sounded the two teams lined up for the always nerve wracking penalty kicks. Cuomo converted first for the Rhinos, sending the keeper to his left while pushing the ball to the opposite corner. SFC converted their kick and then newcomer Ryan Lotzar (Penfield) cracked home what proved to be the winner as J.P. Fauchet (Pittsford) then made a key save for the Rhinos.

The Rhinos advanced from group play and into the final by first defeating a tough Toronto Lynx team 1-0 on Swanger’s tally. They won their second game, over DMS 1-0 when Andrew Smith (Pittsford) converted a Cuomo corner kick in the last 30 seconds of the game. Their third match also ended 1-0 with newcomer Jaime Salcedo (Akron) scoring against his old mates, Buffalo United. Afterwards, Coach Howard Allen credited his team for overcoming adversity while playing shorthanded, as the Rhinos lifted their first trophy of the season.