Uniondale, N.Y. – The Rough Riders tie for the top of the Metropolitan Division with an 8-1 win over Manhattan SC in Wednesday evening’s USL W League match-up.
The Rough Riders entered their second match of the season against Manhattan SC looking to replicate the earlier result of a 6-1 win in their opening game of the season against Manhattan.
The match went about the same this time around. The Rough Riders dominated all phases of the game scoring eight goals, though did give up one to Manhattan on another defensive miscue.
Long Island got the ball rolling early dominating possession, finally breaking through in the 16th minute. Forward Micala Boex received a long switch pass from the other side of the field gaining possession behind the Manhattan defense and scoring making the score 1-0.
Boex was on a roll scoring nine minutes later. Long Island forward Luciana Setteducate passed to Boex who was cutting behind Manhattan’s high defensive line. Boex beat the keeper one-on-one and scored, 2-0.
In the 27th minute, Manhattan gained possession on a oddly deflected pass, and passed it to a streaking Finley Norman who battled for possession in the box and scored for Manhattan, bringing the game closer at 2-1.
Long Island responded before the half ended. Kayleigh Goodrich tapped in a goal thanks to to Boex pushing the ball down the left side and into the box and crossing it to an open Goodrich in the six-yard box making the score 3-1 into half.
The Rough Riders came out blazing after half. Fiona Killian scored off a corner in the 47th minute, Setteducate scored off another Boex cross in the 49th minute and Goodrich scored in the 52nd minute perfectly timing a run to get behind the Manhattan defensive line and scoring one vs one with the keeper, bringing the score to 6-1.
The Rough Riders then finished off the game strong scoring in the 87th and 88th minute. Goodrich scored again, shooting a missile from 18 yards out, securing her second hat trick of the season; and Baylee Canet scored her first goal of the season finding herself behind the Manhattan back four and scoring against the keeper, finishing the game 8-1.
With this win, the Long Island Rough Riders find themselves tied on points for first in the Metropolitan Division with Morris Elite, though leading on the tiebreaker of goal differential. Manhattan SC still finds themselves in last place in the Metropolitan Division, yet to score a point.
The Rough Riders will be back for W League action home at Mitchel Athletic Complex on Sunday, June 14 at 3:00 PM taking on NJ Copa FC.
For tickets and more information on the Rough Riders, visit www.LIRoughRiders.com.