The Impact handed the Rhinos their first loss of the season. With the win, Montreal moves into first place in USL D1 standings with 22 points, tied with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Montreal has three games in hand.
The Impact is now undefeated in its last eight games (5-0-3) and has dominated its opponents 11-1 during that stretch.
Goalkeeper Andrew Weber, who earned his fourth shutout in five consecutive starts, stopped a penalty kick at the 70th minute to protect the Montreal win.
The Impact has now shut out the Raging Rhinos in their last 11 match-ups at home (9-0-2).
The Montreal team will play its next game on Friday, July 7, against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex (8 pm, FSW, RDS, CJAD 800, Sport Plus XM-172).
THE GOAL
25th minute – Defender Nevio Pizzolitto headed a free kick from midfielder Patrick Leduc, taken from 25 yards out. Rushing to the net, Pizzolitto beat Rhinos goalkeeper Scott Vallow with the header, to his left.
HIGHLIGHTS
33rd minute – Accepting a pass from midfielder Aaran Lines, Rhinos midfielder Danny Kramer was alone in the box on the right side. His low, diagonal shot beat Impact goalkeeper Andrew Weber, but defender Gabriel Gervais cleared the ball just before it crossed the goal line.
52nd minute – After a run on the right wing, captain Mauro Biello centered the ball across the box, towards Daniel Antoniuk, who was rushing to the net. Antoniuk tried to complete the play by sliding to the ball but was incapable of making contact, as he was closely guarded by a Rhinos defender.
65th minute – On a rush on the right wing, Mauro Biello pivoted and took a high shot that goalkeeper Scott Vallow saved, diving to his right.
70th minute – Impact goalkeeper Andrew Weber stopped Rhinos forward Connally Edozien on a penalty kick, by diving to his right.
POST GAME COMMENTS
HEAD COACH NICK DE SANTIS
« It’s an important win for us tonight. Andrew (Weber) made a key save that kept us in the match. He’s a goalkeeper who is very confident right now and he is playing well. We were also able to withstand their pressure in the second half. We will try to build on that for the next games. »
GOALKEEPER ANDREW WEBER
« On the penalty, I dove to the right side and I’m pleased I made the save. On the play, I didn’t think it was a penalty because I slipped. It’s another good win for us. Things are going well and it’s very positive. »
DEFENDER GABRIEL GERVAIS
« It was a big game for both teams. Tonight, it was like a playoff game. I was even more intense than in Rochester because here, the field is smaller. There is also a rivalry and a culture between both teams that makes the games exciting. We don’t really like each other and it’s a great show for the fans. »
MISSING FROM THE LINE-UP
Team – Player – Position - Reason
MTL – Antonio Ribeiro (M) – hamstring – should be back early July
MTL - Leonardo Di Lorenzo (M) – foot – day to day
MTL – Greg Sutton (G) – finger - return date TBD
MTL - Gerry Argento (G) – concussion - return date TBD
MTL – David Fronimadis (D) – knee - return date TBD
NEXT GAMES
Fri. July 7 - Vancouver Whitecaps @ Impact - Claude-Robillard Sports Complex - 8:00 pm
Tue. July 11 - Toronto Lynx @ Impact - Claude-Robillard Sports Complex - 7:30 pm
GAME SUMMARY
Impact line-up
Andrew Weber, Gabriel Gervais, Nevio Pizzolitto, Adam Braz, Mauricio Vincello, Lars Lyssand, Patrick Leduc, Zé Roberto, Kirk Wilson (Masahiro Fukasawa 80), Mauro Biello (Mauricio Salles 89), Daniel Antoniuk (Joel Bailey 64)
Rochester line-up
Scott Vallow, Frankie Sanfilippo, Kenney Bertz, Scott Palguta, Nate Craft (Connally Edozien 64), Teniwa Bonseu (Charles Gbeke 82), Danny Kramer (John Ball 72), Mike Ambersley (Kevin Taylor 69), Johnny Menyongar, Aaran Lines, Matthew Delicate
Goals
MTL: Nevio Pizzolitto (Patrick Leduc) 25
Statistics: Rochester - Impact
Shots: 13-9
Saves: 6-6
Fouls: 14-16
Offsides: 4-1
Corners: 10-2
Cautions
MTL: Nevio Pizzolitto 4
ROC: Nate Craft 6
MTL: Patrick Leduc 21
ROC: Scott Palguta 38
MTL: Zé Roberto 62
MTL: Andrew Weber 69
ROC: Charles Gbeke 87
Officials
Mauricio Navarro, Daniel Belleau, Pierre Cantave, Bedik Charchafian
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 Ext. 27
