November 30, 2019
Lancers vie for 1st win of the season as they host Harrisburg Saturday night
HENRIETTA, N.Y. (November 30, 2019) – The Rochester Lancers will vie for their first Major Arena Soccer League victory of the young season as they host the Harrisburg Heat the Dome Arena on Saturday at 7 p.m.
In their return to the league after a four-year hiatus, the Lancers (0-1) dropped a 9-1 decision to Utica City FC (2-1) at the same venue on Friday night.
Local product Matt D’Amico scored the lone Lancers’ goal and goalkeeper Christian Esposito acquitted himself well in his MASL debut, making several vital saves. Moises Gonzalez led Utica City FC with four goals.
The Heat, which will play in their season opener on Saturday night, return 17 players from an improved team that finished with an 11-13 record last season.
Harrisburg has one face on its squad that will be very familiar to Rochester fans-- former Brighton High star and goalkeeper Will Banahene. Nicknamed Will the Wall for his outstanding performances, Banahene starred for the Lancers in two National Premier Soccer League seasons.
During the offseason, the Heat acquired free agent defender Elton de Oliveira, forward JJ Gibson and goalkeeper Jesus “Chuy” Molina.
The teams haven’t met since the 2014-15 season. Under the direction of head coach Doug Miller, the Lancers finished third in the MASL2 – M2 – playoffs last year before returning to the MASL for 2019-20.
These two clubs will meet six times this season. The Lancers visit Harrisburg at the Farm Show Arena next Saturday, Dec. 7.
Tickets are still on sale and can be purchased at RLancers.com or at the Dome Arena.
The game also will be available on MASL.tv.
The Major Arena Soccer League represents the highest level of professional arena soccer in the world. The MASL features teams across North America, with teams playing coast-to-coast in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The MASL is currently incorporated as a 501(c)6 not for profit corporation formed to promote the business and sport of arena soccer.