Uniondale, N.Y. – The Long Island Rough Riders beat the visiting Morris Elite 2-1 on a windy Sunday evening in USL League 2 play in an important win for playoff contention.

The Rough Riders came into this game looking for a win after a loss and tie in their last two matches. The Rough Riders came into this game tied for third place on the table. A win would go a long way to improving their chances of securing one of the two playoff spots in the Metropolitan Division. Morris Elite came into this match looking for a spark, they lost both of their last two matches 4-0 and were looking for their second win of the season.

The wind was a significant factor for both teams, blowing from one goal to the other. Long Island started with the wind at their back and utilized it to score in the 15th minute. The Rough Rider’s dispossessed Morris Elite near the Morris Elite box. Long Island’s Carter Tavares receieved the ball near the top of the box and whipped in a shot that was parried away by Morris Elite’s keeper Joshua Bells right into the lap of Evangelos Chrysostomou and the Long Island forward smashed in the rebound giving the Rough Riders a 1-0 lead.

The back and forth match up held at 1-0 going into half.

After half, Morris Elite had the wind at their back and took advantage. Morris Elite’s Sabri Hanni found himself with the ball and space just outside the box and ripped a shot into the top right corner, tying the game 1-1 in the 49th minute.

The lead didn’t last long though. In the 61st minute, Long Island forward Ayden Kokoszka was attacking with the ball down the left wing. A filthy step-over allowed Kokoszka to find space dangerously deep in the box and beat the keeper far post to give the Rough Riders the 2-1 lead.

The Rough Riders held on to the 2-1 lead the rest of the way getting back in the win column. With 10 points they sit tied for second in the Metropolitan Division with Ironbound SC for the time being. With the loss, Morris Elite remains at 3 points and find themselves in ninth place.

The Rough Riders will be back for USL 2 action on Friday June 12 at 7:00 PM at Mitchel Athletic Complex hosting FC Motown, the current first place time in the Metropolitan Division.

For tickets and more information on the Rough Riders, visit www.LIRoughRiders.com.