News

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (July 28, 2012) -- The Rowdies used a goal by
forward Daniel Antoniuk in the 44th minute to post their third
consecutive victory and seventh win in the last eight matches with a
1-0 victory over FC Edmonton Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium. The
victory, its third 1-0 win over FC Edmonton this season, kept the
Rowdies unbeaten in their last six league matches at home, including
five consecutive home wins.

Goalkeeper Jeff Attinella earned his third straight shutout, his sixth
overall this season and the 11th clean sheet of his career. Tampa Bay
extended its current shutout streak to more than 315 minutes as the
Rowdies have not allowed a goal since the 45th minute at Minnesota on
July 12.

The Rowdies had several opportunities in the first half, beginning
with a header from forward Daniel Antoniuk after a great cross from
forward Mike Ambersley. The header was deflected out of bounds for a
Rowdies corner kick. In the 17th minute, Ambersley took a left-footed
shot from just outside the box but it missed wide to the right of the
goal.

In the 24th minute, forward Matt Clare sent a dangerous cross into the
box that forced FC Edmonton goalkeeper John Smits to come off his line
and punch the ball away. Just a minute later, midfielder Luke
Mulholland fired a right footed shot from about 25 yards out that just
sailed over the crossbar.

FC Edmonton had its best chance of the first 45 minutes in the 31st
minute as defender Paul Hamilton appeared to beat Tampa Bay goalkeeper
Jeff Attinella. But Rowdies midfielder Stuart Campbell saved a goal
with a spectacular header off the goal line to force a corner kick.

The Rowdies broke through in the 44th minute as Ambersley sent a
perfect cross into the box and Antoniuk finished with a header into
the back of the net. The goal was Antoniuk's sixth this season, tied
for tops on the team. With the assist, Ambersley now has at least one
point in six consecutive matches and leads the team with seven assists
in 2012. During the streak, Ambersley has three goals and five assists
in the last six games.

The Rowdies continued to put pressure on FC Edmonton after the break.
Defender Frankie Sanfilippo nearly gave Tampa Bay its second goal when
his header after a long free kick from Mulholland caromed off the post
in the 63rd minute. Ambersley also forced tough saves by Smits in both
the 66th and 70th minutes on shots from inside the box.