July 21, 2009
SIX-YEAR ITCH
Riders in playoffs for 1st time since 2003

The Long Island Rough Riders men look to ride the momentum of a successful regular season into the Premier Development League playoffs when they host the Ocean City Barons at St. Anthony’s High School in South Huntington, L.I. at 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

The first round match-up marks the Riders' first post-season appearance since 2003. Long Island qualified for the playoffs by posting a 12-2-2 record, finishing second to the Ottawa Fury in the Northeast Division.

“Our success comes from the coaching staff and managers getting a great group of guys together. We work hard with and for each other and get along on and off the field,” team captain Danny Kramer said.

The game will mark the third time the Riders and Barons will meet this year.

“It’s tough to play a team three times but we’re as ready and prepared as we can be,“ Kramer said. “They’re very fundamental and all of the players play their positions well but we’re just trying to focus on us.”

The teams split their regular-season series, with each side winning on their home field. Ocean City won, 2-0, early on in the year to stop the Riders from qualifying for the Lamar Hunt/U.S. Open Cup. But the Riders reaped revenge about a month later, beating the Barons, 1-0, at Cy Donnelly Field.

The Riders are only looking to the future and keeping their eyes on the prize.

“Everyone is really excited," Kramer said. "We look at the playoffs as a mini-season and are taking it one game at a time and hope to keep advancing. We’re ready and excited to play for the home crowd."