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2
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AET
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1 |  |
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Ryan Heins (Gregor) 82’
Kenney Bertz (Ambersley) 113’ |
59’ Ryan Stewart (PK) |
Two matches in the US Open Cup this year, and two exciting games for the Rochester Rhinos.
A week after needing penalty kicks to advance past the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL Second Division in the First Round, the host Rhinos got the tying goal from Ryan Heins in the 82nd minute and the winner from Kenney Bertz in the 113th to outlast the Cleveland City Stars 2-1 at Marina Auto Stadium.
Just four minutes after entering the match, Heins took a pass from Andrew Gregor on the left side and ripped a shot past City Stars goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap from 20 yards out for his first goal of the season.
Heins’ strike offset a 59th minute penalty kick by Cleveland’s Ryan Stewart, who converted after being taken down by Rochester’s Darren Kenton in the box.
Despite having little of the ball in the final 20 minutes, the City Stars — coming off a stunning 3-0 league win over the Rhinos on Saturday in Cleveland — had a golden opportunity in second half stoppage time. A quick counter attack turned into a 3-on-2, but Ricardo Pierre-Louis shot high and wide.
Late in the first 15 minute period of extra time, Bertz headed in a corner kick by Mike Ambersley for his first goal of the season, and Rochester held on to advance to the Third Round of the US Open Cup for the eighth consecutive season.
Rhinos keeper Scott Vallow was called upon to make just two saves, though one was a fine, diving stop on a drive by City Stars forward Joshua Boateng in the opening minutes of the second half. In the other net, Hunter Gilstrap made five saves of his own in the losing effort.
Lineups
ROCHESTER: GK Scott Vallow, D John Ball, D Kenny Bertz, D Nathaniel Short, D Darren Kenton (Kwame Sarkodie 73), M Chris Nurse (Ze Roberto 112), M Andrew Gregor, M Mike Ambersley, M Danny Earls (Ryan Heins 78), F Johnny Menyongar, F Mauricio Salles.
CLEVELAND: GK Hunter Gilstrap, D Gordon Kljestan, D Troy Roberts, D Ibrahim Kante (Julian Valentin 71), D Stephane Guillaume, M Warren Kanu, M Pato Aguilera, M Godfrey Tenoff, M Ryan Stewart, F Leo Gibson (Ricardo Pierre-Louis 54), F Joshua Boateng.
Yellow cards: C Kljestan (25), R Vallow (59), C Stewart (66), R Nurse (70), R Salles (77), R Gregor (89), C Aguilera (101), R Heins (101). Att. — 2,788.