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Tuesday, May 30, 2000 By Ray Fittipaldo, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
Rochester might not be the same team that won the A-League championship in 1998 and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup last year. Some key players from those teams moved on, which usually happens in the A-League.
But many believe the Raging Rhinos still have enough talent to challenge again for the league's championship and defend the Open Cup with fervor.
That's why the game at Bethel Park High School yesterday was so important for the Riverhounds. Not only did the Riverhounds want to avenge last season's playoff loss to the Raging Rhinos, they were anxious to prove that they were among the elite of the A-League this season.
One game does not a season make, but the Riverhounds made a point yesterday -- one point actually was all it took -- as some good defense and goaltending held off Rochester, 1-0.
"Anytime you beat Rochester, it's great because not only are they a good team, they're a team that wants to hit you and hit you," said goalkeeper Randy Dedini. "You have to win the hard way against them, and it was great to see our guys step up and battle the way they did."
The Riverhounds (4-1-1), replete with their bigger and stronger players in the lineup, went toe-to-toe against Rochester (2-2) and did not give any ground.
The Riverhounds, coming off a 2-1 loss on Long Island Saturday, got their goal off a throw-in in the 42nd minute. John Jones executed the throw to the front of the net to defender David Wright, whose header made it past goalkeeper Billy Andracki.
It was the second time this season Wright, who stands 6-feet-4, scored off a corner kick or throw-in. His height makes it difficult to defend him in front of the net.
"He has the height, and we try to use that to our advantage," Kowalski said. "I didn't think one goal was going to get it done, but it did."
That largely was due to the superb play of Dedini, who has given up just three goals in four starts this season. He recorded his first shutout of the season yesterday.
"He made three or four brilliant saves," Kowalski said. "They were right at him, but they were very powerful shots."
Rochester's quality scoring chances came in the second half.
Onadi Lowe had an opportunity in the slot in the 48th minute, but his shot was wide left after Dedini cut down the angle. Lowe had a better scoring attempt in the 61st minute. Off a perfect lead pass, Lowe kicked a hard, low shot toward the net, but Dedini played it perfectly and was there to absorb the shot.
A few minutes later, in the 65th minute, Eduardo Sebrango neatly dribbled his way to some open space and got off another good shot. Dedini coolly blocked it with his midsection and gathered the high rebound over his head before the Raging Rhinos could get to it.
"It looked like they were playing some of their players up, trying to get the tying goal," Dedini said. "My positioning was good, and everything came right at me."
The Riverhounds might have breathed a little easier over the final 20 minutes had Michael Apple converted a rare breakaway, but his high shot sailed over the net.
Rochester controlled play in the Riverhounds' territory for much of the rest of the game, but the midfield and defense protected Dedini and did not allow any close calls.
"It was an emotional battle," Kowalski said. "It's not good enough to play well against Rochester. You have to play physical and really battle.
"The guys were a lot more fired up. If we played with that kind of intensity against Long Island, we would have won by two or three goals up there."
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