January 19, 2024

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Even after the Rochester Lancers' dominating 14-6 victory over Baltimore Arsenal in their season opener last week, head coach Jake Schindler knows there is room for improvement for his Major Arena Soccer League 2 team.

"It was a great result, maybe not the exact performance that we were hoping for, which is kind of to be expected in the first game of the year," he said. "It's really hard to replicate those game-like speeds in situations. I'm definitely happy for the team to get the result we wanted. But I think it just definitely opened up our eyes to where we still need to improve on as a team."

Such as?

"I think we gave up three goals on set pieces, and we gave up some goals on fast breaks," Schindler said. "It's managing those situations going forward. Does everyone know exactly where they need to be on a defensive set piece? Are we adjusting to counter attacks quickly and efficiently? That's definitely where we want to shore up some of these things on the defensive end."

Schindler will have an opportunity to see how his Lancers (1-0) have improved when they visit United Elite Krajisnik FC (2-2) in an East Division battle at the Adirondack Bank Center on Sunday at 6:30 p.m.

The Lancers coach scouted United Elite, watching its games against Baltimore online.

"It was a good opportunity to get a better understanding of both teams," Schindler said. "We're aware of some of the players on their team. It's hard to predict who's going to be available for the games, as they do share some players with their M1 affiliate [Utica City FC in Major Arena Soccer League]. We're just preparing the best that we can with the information that we have."

Forward Tyler Forbes leads United Elite with seven goals and two assists. Midfielder Alexander Gomez has contributed five goals, and one assist and midfielder Damon Almazon has collected six assists.

Rochester's leaders include forward Joey Tavernese (four goals, one assist), forward Taner Bay (three goals) and midfielder-defender Ali Alomari (two goals, one assist).

Tavernese is an indoor soccer veteran who also performs for the Harrisburg Heat in the MASL

"He's a great role model and example for some of the younger guys," Schindler said "I love having him around. I have a lot of respect for Joey as a professional and as a person. So anytime he is available, I like to bring him in. He is part of the coaching staff. He is at practices on a weekly basis. So, he was a big influence on the team even if he's not playing."

Joining Tavernese from the Heat is Harrisburg head coach Pat Healey, who played on the back line last week.

"You play in these leagues long enough, you build some relationships and respect for players," Schindler said. "I don't like to lose anybody's number. When we saw an opportunity with Joey signing in Harrisburg, that's one of the premier minds in indoor soccer. He's done it all. Now he's really getting the coaching side of it. I think he's got a little left in the tank from a playing standpoint. I think this is a fun opportunity for him and just a great person to have on the bench with us. So, it was a no brainer."

Both players' availability for Rochester will be subject to the Heat schedule. Harrisburg doesn't play this weekend.

Alomari, a Lackawanna, N.Y. native who was a member of Flower City Union team that made a Cinderella run to capture the National Independent Soccer Association title, enjoyed an impressive Lancers debut in Baltimore.

"I was very happy to see his performance," Schindler said. "He's an attacking threat. He gets the ball, and he wants to go at players. That's something that we need to continue to develop in some of our players. It's that confidence to take people on 1 v 1 and create our own offense. He brings that technical ability and that comfort on the ball to do that."

The Lancers and United will tussle again on Sunday, Jan. 28 in Utica before Rochester hosts Atletico Orlando in its home opener at the Total Sports Experience in East Rochester, N.Y. on Friday, Feb. 2 at 7:45 p.m.

In fact, that weekend starts a schedule that will see Rochester finish out the M2 season with seven of its eight final games at home. The Lancers’ only remaining road match would be at Baltimore on Saturday, March 16.

"It's going to have hopefully put us in a position to be competing for the division, and working towards that playoff spot," Schindler said. "The only way this season is successful is a championship. We've got to make sure that we're confident and collected at home and that we're really fighting to maintain that perfect home record, which is really what put us out of the playoffs last year. If we can make sure we defend our home field, eight out of eight times, we're going to be in a prime position going into the postseason."

One of the Lancers' great strengths is that the core of last year's team has returned.

"It definitely helps," Schindler said. "We're not trying to reinvent the wheel. We're trying to get people into the right positions, in the right habits, so that they can be successful. We outline how we want to play within that system. There's a lot of freedom for people to be creative and utilize their own skillsets."

For more information on the team, visit www.RochesterLancers.com.