Written by Michael Lewis

UNIONDALE, N.Y. – With a playoff berth already in their back pocket, the Long Island Rough Riders men recorded a 6-1 victory over FA Euro New York in their USL League Two regular season finale at Mitchel Athletic Complex on Wednesday night.

The win solidified the Rough Riders’ lead in the Metropolitan Division as they extended their winning streak to four games.

Long Island (11-2-1, 34 points) enjoys a four-point lead over second-place Manhattan SC (9-2-0, 27), which secured a playoff spot with a 3-1 victory at Cedar Stars Rush on Wednesday night. Manhattan can win the division title by defeating the Westchester Flames on Saturday, July 16 and then FC Motown STA on Sunday, July 17.

Ryan Carmichael struck for an 11-minute hat-trick in the second half and assisted on another goal. Niklas Roessler, Jamie DiLuzio and Roc Carles Puig added single tallies.

The hosts struck twice on head shots within a two-minute span to take control of the match.

First, Roessler headed a corner kick as LI grabbed a 1-0 lead. It was Roessler’s fourth goal of the season.

Only two minutes later, DiLuzio tallied his first goal of the campaign with a header in a Roessler feed for a 2-0 advantage.

Carmichael, who has 10 goals this season, started his scoring spree in the 49th minute. He connected for goals in the 53rd and 60th minutes for a 5-0 lead. Carles Puig closed out the Rough Riders scoring in the 68th minute.

Dion Ahmetaj spoiled Long Island’s shutout bid when he scored against goalkeeper Andrew Hammersley in the 81st minute. Wessel Speel played the opening 63 minutes in the net.