South Huntington, NY (July 14, 2010) – The Long Island Rough Riders Women’s team picked up its fourth straight win Wednesday night, defeating the New Jersey Wildcats 3-0 at Cy Donnelly Stadium. The victory puts the women in position to gain a playoff berth, pending Sunday’s result against the Hudson Valley Quickstrike.

The Rough Riders took the initiative from the opening whistle, as Sade Ayinde’s 2nd minute cross just missed its target. Brooke DeRosa won a corner in the 11th, while Sue Weber drove forward from defense, drawing several dangerous free kicks.

Long Island opened the scoring in the 26th minute thanks to good work from Weber. The central defender exchanged passes with Molly Bruh down the left side of the field, and crossed the ball to Kaila Sciascia, who volleyed the ball into the back of the net at the far post.

The goal was indicative of what was to come, as the Rough Riders began to take control of the game.

In the 29th, Weber was influential again, winning a corner on the left side. Bruh took the resulting kick, and Vaila Barsley powered a header past the New Jersey goalkeeper from eight yards out.

The goal led to a bizarre string of events. The Wildcats shot towards goal on the restart, forcing Rough Rider goalkeeper Brittany Henderson to handle the ball five yards outside her box, leading to an automatic red card.

On the free kick, substitute goalkeeper Becky Wachsberger made an amazing double save, pushing the initial kick onto the right post, and then getting a hand on the rebound, allowing the Rough Riders to clear the ball.

In the 33rd, Wachsberger came up big again, making a diving save to her right. Long Island spurned a few chances before the break, as Laura Greene and Ayinde had shots saved.

Despite playing 10 vs. 11, Long Island maintained its momentum in the 2nd half. In the 63rd minute, Amanda Ferranti beat two defenders on the left side of the box and fired a bullet off the crossbar, seeing the rebound cleared for a corner. Sue Weber controlled the kick at the top of the box, cutting to her left and slotting a low shot into the bottom right corner of the net to make it 3-0 to the Rough Riders.

Despite a torrential downpour in the final 25 minutes, Long Island maintained possession, holding on for the victory.

The women’s final regular season home game is at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday July 18th from Cy Donnelly Stadium in South Huntington.

To purchase tickets for this match, please visit www.liroughriders.com/tickets.

Article by Jeff Gordon