Not only did the Rochester Lancers record their first win of the season, they also registered their first clean sheet. (Photo courtesy of the Lancers)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Rochester Lancers scored twice in the second half to register their first National Premier Soccer League win ever, a 2-0 victory over Syracuse FC at Onondaga Community College Friday night.

The Lancers struck in the 52nd and 72nd minutes to raise their record to 1-2 after suffering a 2-1 defeat to the Dayton Dynamos in their NPSL debut last Sunday and a 1-0 loss at the Fort Pitt Regiment.

It was the first outdoor win by a Lancers team in more than 36 years. That was a 2-1 victory at the Philadelphia Fury at Veteran’s Stadium Aug. 13. Striker Mike Stojanovic snapped a 1-1 deadlock with 2:35 remaining in the match past goalkeeper John Rigby. Pat Ercoli had given Rochester a 1-0 lead off a John Nusum steal at 22:36 before Dave MacWilliams equalized at 44:20. Goalkeeper Enzo DiPede made eight saves.

Seven minutes into the second half, Glenn Holmes scored off a rebound past goalkeeper Pat Castle before 1,109 fans at David W. Murphy Field.

In the 72nd minute, the Lancers doubled their lead, converting a corner kick.

“It was a tough match to lose,” Syracuse FC head coach and general manager Matt Tantalo told WWW.Syracuse.com. “I thought we carried the play for most of it and created enough chances to win. Can’t give up soft goals on corners and that was the difference. We’re going to learn from this one and will continue to get better.”

The Lancers will be back in action in the second game of a doubleheader at Wegman’s Sports Complex at Aquinas Institute in Rochester, N.Y. Sunday, June 4.

The Lady Lancers kickoff at 1 p.m. against the Long Island Rough Riders, the men at 4 p.m. vs. Fort Pitt.

 

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.