Rhinos Lose Heartbreaker in Stoppage Time

(Portland, OR)…  The Rochester Rhinos brought their three-game winning streak into PGE Park in Portland on Thursday night.    Portland entered the match having not surrendered a goal in 297 consecutive minutes.  (Photo by Michael Stringfield) 

Rochester began the match slowly, playing on their heels for much of the first half.  Portland was able to capitalize on their early pressure, taking the lead in the 40’ when Brian Farber’s right-footed volley found the top of the net.  Farber was able to notch the goal after Mandjou Keita chipped a ball over the head of Vallow, leaving Farber with his second goal of the season.

The Rhinos opened the second half applying more pressure but chances of coming from behind took a blow when defender Nano Short was lost to a red card ejection in the 61’.  However, Rochester managed to overcome being shorthanded when Steve Cronin made an initial save on an Andrew Gregor free kick.  Kenney Bertz kept the play alive with a diving header that was cleaned up by Darren Kenton for his first goal of the season.  The goal snapped Portland’s streak of 363 minutes without allowing a goal.

Minutes later after making the initial save on a shot by Farber, Rhinos goalkeeper Scott Vallow watched as the ball appeared to be heading into the goal before Mauricio Salles was able to clear the loose ball out of harm’s way. 

Later, Rochester’s Ryan Heins streaking down the right side corralled a pass from Gregor in the 78’.  Heins improved his position but his shot found the side of the net.  The match remained tied when Heins cleared the ball away following a Portland scoring chance in stoppage time.  However a foul was called against Rochester away from the ball inside the box resulting in a Portland penalty kick.  Timber striker Ryan Pore converted the game-winning PK in the 94’ to send Portland into the lead seconds before the final whistle.

With the loss, Rochester falls to 3-2-1 in 2009 and will continue their western road trip with a match at the defending USL-1 champion Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night at 10:00 p.m.   

Attendance: 7556

Summary:

POR: Brian Farber (Mandjou Keita) 40
ROC: Darren Kenton 66
POR: Ryan Pore (penalty) 90

Cautions

ROC: John Ball 44, Tiger Fitzpatrick 45, Andrew Gregor 60, Ryan Heins 90, Scott Vallow 90

Ejections

ROC: Nano Short 61

Referees: Landis Wiley, Andrew Brooks, Carlos Tercero, Patrick Duffy