USL League 2 Match Recap: Long Island Rough Riders vs. Morris Elite

UNIONDALE N.Y. (May 22, 2022) –

The Long Island Rough Riders opened their USL League 2 season against Morris Elite on Sunday May 22^nd with something to prove, and they did.

After coming off a highly successful 2021 campaign and seizing the Metropolitan Conference, they wanted to build off that momentum.

Returning to the starting 11 were key leaders such as Aaron Denk Garcia, Bjarne Thiesen, Albert Kang and Niklas Rossler. While new players took the pitch and left their marks, scoring all 5 goals of the match in their debuts.

Right out of the gates and just 4 minutes into the first half, Jared Gilbey capitalized off a set piece just outside Morris Elite’s box.

Another goal came at 21 minutes from Ryan Carmichael with a jumping header off a beautifully floated ball into the box by Jayden Reid.

The Rough Riders hammered the first half home with a hat trick from Matthew Vowinkel. Back-to-back-to-back goals came in at 21 minutes, 41 minutes and 44 minutes, all from the third round 2021 MLS SuperDraft pick himself.

Morris Elite had a fighting effort but were shut down in every third. A chance for Morris Elite came in at 35 minutes off a free kick just outside of the Rough Riders box but was ultimately scooped up by Wessel Speel.

The score at half time settled in at 5 – 0.

The second half held a few chances for the Rough Riders, but no conversions.

Multiple players went on to make their debut wearing the Rough Riders crest such as Samuel Sarver, Luke McCormick and Yoran Popovic.

The final whistle blew with the impressive score of 5-0 on the score board.