7,132 fans showed up to see the inaugural home game of the Darren Tilley era. Among those in attendance were former Rhinos Head Coach Pat Ercoli, Billy Andracki, Mike Kirmse, Craig Demmin and Doug Miller to lend their support to the 1998 A-League Championship game MVP. Rochester came out strong but in the end couldn't outscore the visiting Battery, dropping a 1-0 decision. Rochester just missed a golden opportunity in the 25th minute as Mauricio Salles' bicycle kick from 17 yards just missed the upper corner. Seconds later Salles did find the net but it was waived off after a foul was called on Rochester. Rochester continued to pressure the Battery and once a again nearly struck with 31 minutes when a clearing attempt by a Charleston defender went off the left post. A minute later Matthew Delicate's effort snuck just high leaving the game scoreless at the break. Rochester didn't go without their chances in the second half. Atiba Charles header in the 52 couldn't found the waiting arms of Battery ‘keeper Keith Wiggans. The match remained scoreless until the 59th when Randi Patterson lobbed a ball in over the head of a charging Scott Vallow giving the vistors a 1-0 advantage. The Battery nearly made it 2-0 minutes after, however Vallow was able to deny the Aaron King blast with a diving save. Rochester nearly leveled the score in the waning minutes when Evan Milward rang a shot off the post. The pressure continued but Chad Severs shot just missed the upper right post as extended time neared. With the loss, Rochester drops to 0-4-2 on the season and have been blanked in five of their first six matches. Rochester will be looking for their first win when they return to action next weekend against the Carolina Railhawks on Saturday, May 24th at 7:35 p.m.
