(Cleveland, OH)... The Rhinos traveled to Cleveland on Friday night for the first ever meeting between the Rhinos and expansion City Stars.  Cleveland played the 2008 season as a member of the USL Second Division where it won the league title last season.  Rochester, despite playing in a rainstorm, earned its second win of the season to extend its unbeaten streak to three games. 

Rochester nearly struck first in only the fifth minute of play as first year Rhino Tai Atieno beat the Cleveland trap, letting a blast go from point blank range, that City Stars 'keeper Hunter Gilstrap did well to deflect..  Gilstrap later on stopped Ryan Heins who cut to his right inside the box hitting a hard low shot that was swallowed up by the Cleveland netminder.

Continuing to apply pressure, which resulted in a Rochester free kick  just outside the 18, Tiger Fitzpatrick drove the ball into the box that when cleared found its way to Johnny Menyongar.  Menyongar fired a shot over the crossbar.

After controlling much of the first half of play, the City Stars, had an opportunity when Godfrey Tenoff laid a ball off to Jason Hotchkin.  Hotchkin's 17 yard shot was gathered in by Rhinos goalkeeper Tim Melia who made his first start of 2009.

In the 48' the Rhinos' Fitzpatrick sent a cross into the box intended for Kenney Bertz, whose header attempt ended when he was undercut by Cleveland's Ibrahim Kante resulting in a penalty kick.   Rochester finally struck first as Atieno converted the PK for a 1-0 Rhino lead.

Later Fitzpatrick was at it again sending a poor clearing attempt into the box.  After taking a bounce Atieno found the ball at his feet, calmly playing the ball to Menyongar who finished the play scoring his third goal into an empty net.

Rochester would add to their lead in the 78' minute as Mike Ambersley who was just subbed in tallied his first goal of the season.  The play begin with a nicely placed cross into the box by Ryan Heins.  After making the initial save, Gilstrap was unable to control the rebound, which Ambersley jumped on for his first goal of the season making the score 3-0.