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Rowdies Rush 2012 Preseason Tour

Preseason match: Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Saint Leo University

Date: Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.

Location: Countryside Sportsplex (3060 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater, FL 33761)

Admission is free.

Roster
The Rowdies will have 17 signed players available for Wednesday’s match, as well as four trialists.

Last Time Out
The Rowdies posted a 1-0 win over the USF Bulls on Saturday, March 24 at the USF Corbett Soccer Stadium to improve to 4-0 in the Rowdies Rush 2012 Preseason Tour.

The only goal of the match came in the first minute of play, when forward Matt Clare chipped the ball over USF goalkeeper Eric Osswald after a long pass from defender Daniel Scott. Rowdies goalkeeper and USF alum Jeff Attinella kept the Bulls off the scoreboard with several great saves throughout the match, preserving the fourth straight shutout for the Rowdies. In four matches during the Rowdies Rush Preseason Tour, the team has yet to allow a goal while outscoring its opponents by a combined score of 7-0.

Scouting Saint Leo
The Saint Leo Lions had an overall record of 9-5-1 in the 2011 season, where they reached the quarterfinals of the SSC Tournament. Keith Fulk is entering his second season as head coach of the Lions.

Midfielder Joel Purkiss competed in all 16 games for the Lions last season, where he scored eight goals and added four assists for 20 points. Purkiss led the team in every offensive category except for assists. Forwards Edgar Herrera and Aaron Gendreau netted five goals each, tying for second-most on the team. Herrera posted five assists for the Lions, while Gendreau had two in the 2011 season.

Last Meeting
The Rowdies defeated Saint Leo 2-0 on March 30, 2011 at the Azalea Youth Soccer Club. Tsuyoshi Yoshitake scored a goal and Frankie Sanfilippo added an assist in the victory.

Up Next
The Rowdies Rush 2012 Preseason Tour concludes this Saturday, March 31 as the Rowdies will play their NASL rivals, the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers. The match will be played at the FYSA Auburndale Complex (2828 Lake Myrtle Park Road, Auburndale, FL 33823) and will start at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free of charge.