Rochester Rhinos             1          Tai Atieno (Mike Ambersley) 90’+
Pittsburgh Riverhounds    1          Tenywa Bonseu (Justin Evans) 22’

Rochester Advances on Penalties, 4-2
Penalty Summary

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds lost a heartbreaking game in the First Round of the Lamar U.S. Open Cup last night to the Rochester Rhinos of the USL First Division.  The Rhinos eliminated the Hounds with a 2-1 win decided by penalty kicks after the game remained tied at one after regulation and two 15 minute overtimes.

The Hounds struck in the first half when former Rochester defender Tenywa “T-Bone” Bonseu put the Riverhounds ahead by one in the 22^nd minute.  Midfielder Justin Evans assisted.

The Riverhounds played the last 18 minutes of regulation plus nearly four minutes of stoppage time a man down after Bonseu was given a red card for dangerous play in the 72^nd minute.  The Rhinos finally capitalized on their advantage moments before the final whistle when Tai Atieno scored from a Mike Ambersley corner kick, sending the game into overtime.

In the first extra session, the Hounds weathered a number of Rochester Rhinos scoring chances including a header from Atieno.  Rochester forward Mauricio Salles also had an opportunity when his flick off of an Ambersley cross was just wide of the net.  Jason Kutney nearly ended the game for the Hounds when his shot was deflected away by Rhinos keeper Scott Vallow.

In the second OT, the officials ruled that Salles was tackled in the Pittsburgh goal box and awarded Rochester a penalty kick.  Atieno took the shot for Rochester, but his kick hit the crossbar.

The match then went to penalty kicks, with five players from each side getting opportunities to score.  Atieno’s miss was followed by a successful strike by Pittsburgh’s Ed Hayden, putting the Hounds up 1-0 on penalty kicks.  Andrew Gregor made it 1-1, then Nathan Salsi’s shot was stuffed by Vallow.  Kenney Bertz gave Rochester a 2-1 lead on PK’s, then Vallow again stuffed Justin Evans’ try for Pittsburgh.  Salles then made it 3-1, but Allan Brown kept Pittsburgh alive, scoring on a sharp low roller making it 3-2.  Tiger Fitzpatrick put the game away, scoring to put the Rhinos up 4-2, and giving Rochester the 2-1 win.

Head Coach Gene Klein was proud of his club’s effort.  "Our team played well and played hard and deserved a better outcome". 

2,723 fans witnessed the extended and grueling game at Marino Auto Field in Rochester, New York.  This was the third match between Pittsburgh and Rochester in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tournament through the years.  Rochester has won all three Cup matches between the sides.  Rochester will play the USL-1’s Cleveland City Stars in the Tournament’s 2nd Round. 

In other first round play, the Western Mass Pioneers defeated the Emigrantes Das Ilhas 3-2, the Carolina RailHawks beat the Richmond Kickers 2-1, The Wilmington Hammerheads shut out the Charlotte Eagles 2-0 and the Harrisburg City Islanders crushed the Reading Rage 4-1.  Only one lower level team, the Sonoma County Sol of the NPSL, defeated the Orange County Blue Star of the PDL, 5-2.

Pittsburgh returns to USL-2 play on Thursday night when they host the Bermuda Hogges at Chartiers Valley Stadium.  The Hounds remain home for a Sunday night match versus the Richmond Kickers.  

LINEUPS


Pittsburgh: Danny Waltman; Nathan Salsi, Ed Hayden, Cody Bragg, Tenywa Bonseu; Niko Katic, Justin Evans, Tony Labudovski (Allen Brown 79), Jason Kutney (Chris Riley 112); Tommy Gray, Randolph Jerome (Joe Zewe 87) [not used: Zach Varga; --; Jeff Hughes; Bill Brindley, Sean Bucknor]

Rochester: Scott Vallow; Kenney Bertz, Brent Sancho (Andrew Gregor 79), John Ball, Darren Kenton; Andrew Lorei, Johnny Menyongar (Tiger Fitzpatrick 45), Ze Roberto (Tai Atieno 45), Chris Nurse, Mike Ambersley; Mauricio Salles [not used: Tim Melia; Nano Short; Kwame Sarkodie]

Shots: PIT 7, ROC 24

Fouls: PIT 28, ROC 24

Corners: PIT 5, ROC 11

Saves: PIT 6, ROC 6

Offsides: PIT 1, ROC 2

Cautions


PIT: Bonseu 1, 72, Gray 29, Evans 36, Katic 48, Salsi 90, Riley 118


ROC: Bertz 57, Salles 67, Nurse 70



Ejections
PIT: Bonseu 72

Referees: Jason Krnac, Michael Farmer, Brian Miller, Bill Engel