The Rochester Rhinos for the second year in a row will carry a series lead to Puerto Rico as they defeated the Puerto Rico Islanders 2-1 in the first leg of their two-game aggregate goals series on Thursday night at Marina Auto Stadium. The match-up is a rematch of last season's USL-1 semifinal round that saw the Islanders advance 3-2.

The first half saw the Rhinos gain an early advantage off the scoreboard when Cristian Arietta caught John Ball with an elbow that resulted in his red card ejection. Arietta the team leader with ten goals from the back is the reigning Defender of the Year and will now miss Sunday’s second leg. Combined, the two teams each managed to generate just six shots on goal with neither team cracking the other team's goal.

The second half however proved to be a different story as the Rhinos came out attacking. Led by defender John Ball the Rhinos opened the scoring in the 64th minute as Kenney Bertz tallied his first goal of the season from newcomer Tim velten for a 1-0 lead. Just seven minutes later it was Ball who gave the Rhinos a two-goal lead. Ball possessed the ball inside the box before calmly connecting on his shot.

The Islanders proved their mettle though as Nicholas Adderly cut the deficit in half just a minute later and giving the home crowd some concern. Rochester however did not fold making the one goal lead stand. They will now take their one goal lead in Puerto Rico for the second leg of play on Sunday, September 27. Kickoff from Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon, Puerto Rico is slated for 6:00 p.m. Rochester was 0-1-1 in two meeting there this season.