Minnesota Thunder News Release - www.mnthunder.com
Saturday, August 18, 2007
ST PAUL, MN -- The Minnesota Thunder fell to the Rochester Raging Rhinos on Saturday night. Former Thunder player, Johnny Menyonger scored the only goal of the game, giving the Rhinos the win.
The Thunder goes on to play the Atlanta Silverbacks next Saturday, August 25 for their next home game.
The Rhinos had their first opportunity in the first minute of play. On their first offensive attack the Rhinos caught Nic Platter off guard, putting the ball past him. Kyle Zenoni stopped the ball on the goal line and kicked it out of danger. The intensity only grew stronger as the minutes passed.
The Thunder had an offensive opportunity in the 17th minute when they received their first corner kick. Rodrigo Hidalgo hit a cross to Keisuke Ota who headed it past a few defenders and the keeper. Rhino defender Scott Palguta saved the ball on the goal line, and hit it out to Brian Farber. Farber hit it in but the goal was called back because of an offside call.
In the 26th minute, the Rhinos scored. Menyonger came running down the center of the field, passing Thunder defenders. He shot, but Platter was there to hit it out. Menyonger scored off the deflection for a 1-0 Rhino lead.
It was an unlucky night for the Thunder, hitting the posts and crossbar multiple times. In the 28th minute Zenoni headed the ball towards goal, but it hit the crossbar, giving Rochester possession.
Another opportunity for the Thunder came in the 38th minute. Ansu Toure was running down the far sideline and passed it right across the face of the goal. Farber was there but couldn’t get the right touch on it and hit it into the side netting.
In the second half, the Thunder was trying to play the rain to its advantage. They attempted to play more through balls to keep the ball moving on the wet grass. Jeremiah Bass attempted a few passes to Darren Spicer and Farber, but the Rhino keeper kept catching them first.
In the 89th minute, the Rhinos had an opportunity to make the score 2-0. Diallo and Kevin Burns passed Kevin Taylor down the center of the field and were two on one with Platter. Platter stopped the attack with a great sliding save that kept the score 1-0 for the remainder of the game. The Rhinos held off the Thunder for the last few seconds and won 1-0.
The Thunder’s next game is against the Atlanta Silverbacks at James Griffin Stadium on Saturday, August 25. Kickoff is at 7:05pm.
