Geno Rocco stars in RIT men's soccer's 3-0 win over Elmira

2013 Sep 18

Senior John Kaddo (Troy, NY/Averill Park) scored two second half goals, and junior Danny Bloshkin (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) dished out a career-high three assists as the RIT men's soccer team (3-3-0) shut out Elmira College (3-2-0), 3-0 in non-conference action from sunny Tiger Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

Kaddo finished with a career-high five points on two goals and an assist. Reuben Marquez (Williamson, NY/Williamson) scored the Tigers opening goal, while Coty Winchell (Belfast, NY/Belfast) and Bobby Spear (Mount Airy, MD/South Carroll) each had assists for RIT, who snap a two game losing streak.

Shots were even at 15 apiece, and each team took six corner kicks. Mark Reeves (Macedon, NY/Palmyra-Macedon) picked up his third win of the season in net for RIT, making five saves. Nick Lapinski took the loss for Elmira, making eight saves.

It didn't take RIT long to get on the scoreboard as Marquez gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead just 1:03 into the contest. Bloshkin got the play started with a service into the Elmira penalty area from the flank. Kaddo settled the ball and fed Marquez who fired a hard shot into the right side of the goal for his first of the season.

Elmira had a good build up from the back in the 14th minute, culminating in a pair of shots on net from Andre Germano and Ernesto Valverde. Reeves held strong in net for RIT, making two key saves.

RIT had a great chance late in the first half. Sean Sullivan (Malvern, PA/Great Valley) and Geno Rocco (Apalachin, NY/Vestal) each had shots from close range. Sullivan's was saved by Lapinski, and Rocco's was deflected off the line by a Soaring Eagles defender.

Kaddo made it 2-0 RIT on his first goal of the game in the 55th minute. Once again, Bloshkin got the play started with a nice run down the flank. He fed Spear who dribbled the ball to the middle. He sent a through ball to Kaddo, who was making a run, and he tucked a shot neatly inside the far post.

Kaddo struck again just 1:27 later off assists from Bloshkin and Winchell, giving RIT a 3-0 lead. This goal came on a well placed shot from 10 yards out. Kaddo nearly scored the hat trick with about 30 minutes to play, but his penalty kick was saved by Lapinski.

Elmira's best scoring chance in the second half came in the 83rd minute. Germano had a free kick from 20 yards out. His shot bent over the RIT wall and right into the arms of Reeves, who was positioned perfectly for the Tigers.

RIT returns to action on Saturday, September 21 when the Tigers take on cross-town rival the University of Rochester in the 2nd Annual Hillside Community Shield. Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m. at Sahlen's Stadium in downtown Rochester. The Tigers look to avenge a 1-0 loss to the Yellowjackets in last year's match. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for kids under 12 and are available at the Sahlens Stadium Box Office.