June 6, 2018
Onondaga Community College
Last year saw Rochester beat Syracuse 2-0 at home and away. This year, the Lancers were looking to pick up their first win of the season, similar to last year, where their first win was against Syracuse after an 0-2 start.
They delivered again, with a 2-1 road win. Rochester has become a thorn in the side of Syracuse FC and former Rochester River Dogz coach Matt Tantalo, as they improve to 3-0 all time vs. their Interstate 90 rivals. Syracuse came into the game at 1-3 in 5th place, and the Lancers at 0-2-1, desperately needing a win as they sat in 6th place in the Midwest Region's East Conference Division. Syracuse's lone win was against Binghampton, while they dropped 2 games to Erie, and 1 to FC Buffalo. The Lancers had losses vs. Cleveland SC and FC Buffalo, and a tie against Erie.
Both teams traded opportunities in the first half, with Syracuse coming closest with a shot off the post, but the score went into half time 0-0. Syracuse FC opened the scoring in the 51st minute with former Rochester Rhino Nate Bourdeau crushing a shot from 25 yards out into the top corner to give the home team a 1-0 lead.
In the 64th minute Lancers midfielder Ben Allan connected nicely with Will Stone, who slotted home his 2nd goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1. The Lancers broke the tie in the 74th minute when a Lukas Fernandes shot was saved, and Rafa Godoi was able to put away the rebound to secure the 3 points and a 2-1 victory for the visitors. The win puts Rochester at 1-2-1 moving the Lancers into 5th place with 4 points. Syracuse drops to 1-4 and falls to 6th place.
General Manager Marc Mandell said after the game, "its great to get our first win of the season today. Hopefully this will be the catalyst to carry us forward the rest of the way."
The two teams meet again in Rochester on Sunday June 17th at 5:00 pm at Marina Auto Dodge Stadium.