July 22, 2009
PRESSURE TIME
Riders host Barons in playoff game

After the Long Island Rough Riders men failed to reach the Premier Development League playoffs during the first two years of his regime, coach Dan Fisher looked in the mirror.

"I looked at it putting myself under pressure," he said.

While under pressure Fisher did a pretty decent job, directing the Riders (38 points) to a 12-2-2 record and into the post-season. The Riders qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2003.

Fisher and the Riders face the most pressure of the Premier Development League season when they host the Ocean City Barons in an Northeast Conference semifinal at St. Anthony's High School in South Huntington, L.I. on Wednesday at 8 p.m.

During the regular season, each team won on their own pitch. The Riders prevailed, 2-0, while the Barons emerged victorious, 1-0.

"They're a very good team," Fisher said. "They had a great year. They're very strong defensively. They're very strong in the middle of the field and are well coached."

Fisher hopes having a home-field advantage will play to Long Island's favor.

"We;re happy we put ourselves in a decent situation with home-field advantage," he said. "We're hoping some of the experienced guys we brought in will help in these type of situations.

Fisher mentioned several veteran players such as Chris Megaloudis, Mike Palacios and Mike Todd.

"This has been a very special group," he said. "They taught the college kids what its like to be a pro."

If the Riders prevail, they will have to travel up to Canada to take on the Ottawa Fury in the conference final on Saturday. No one has to remind Fisher how close the Riders came to hosting that game. They enjoyed a 2-0 lead over the Fury in a recent encounter but wound up with a 2-2 draw.

Instead of getting three points, the Riders took home only one. So did Ottawa (24-0-4, 40), which gave the Fury the division title.

Fisher said there were "two mystery calls in my opinion that put them back in the game.

"We don't expect much going into another country. They [game officials] blinded one at us."