News

The Basics
Rowdies Rush 2012 Preseason Tour

Preseason match vs. Eckerd College Tritons

6:30 p.m.

Hosted by Chargers Soccer Club at the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch (5895 Post Blvd, Bradenton, FL 34202)

Admission: $5 per car, concessions available for purchase

Roster
The Rowdies will have 12 signed players available for Saturday’s match, as well as 11 trialists.

Who to Watch For
Forward Mike Ambersley got the Rowdies Rush 2012 Preseason Tour started with a bang last weekend. During the intra-squad scrimmage as part of Red Bull Supercamp, he tallied two goals and had numerous chances. Defender Takuya Yamada recorded a goal and an assist last Saturday in South Tampa, and midfielder Shane Hill also picked up a goal.

Scouting Eckerd
The Tritons, coached by third-year head coach Steve Magee, finished the 2011 season 9-7-1, and made it to the quarterfinals of the Sunshine State Conference Tournament.  Eckerd is led by forward Matt Knight, who tallied eight goals in 2011 as well as defender Matt Duffy, who picked up a goal and five assists last season. Goalkeeper Toni Virtanen returns after pacing the team with seven wins, four shutouts, and an 1.45 goals against average a year ago.

Quotable
Rowdies Head Coach Ricky Hill
“The practice sessions have gone well over the last week and we are looking forward to the match in Lakewood Ranch. Eckerd is a strong opponent and I am excited to see our players in a full 90-minute match setting.”

Last Time Out
The Rowdies last match was an intra-squad scrimmage as part of Red Bull Supercamp in South Tampa at Monroe Middle School. The team played three periods of 20 minutes each.  Forward Mike Ambersley scored the first goal of the contest and finished with the match with two, while defender Takuya Yamada scored a goal and an assist, both for the White team. The Orange team, led by trialist Zach Hofstetter’s two goals, picked up the victory over the White team, 5-3.

Up Next
The Rowdies Rush 2012 Preseason Tour continues this Wednesday, March 14 as the Rowdies take on the University of Tampa. The exhibition match will take place at the Walter Fuller Complex in St. Petersburg at 7:30 p.m. and will be hosted by the Azalea Youth Soccer League. The address to the Walter Fuller Complex is 2800 75th St N in St Petersburg (33710) and admission is free.