Rough Riders win final home game of the season

The Long Island Rough Riders won their final home game of the season on June 30. They pulled through after more than a two-hour rain delay with a 3-0 victory against the Cedar Stars Academy.

“When you come out after a two and a half hour delay, it’s complicated and you hope you can bring the same energy,” Tanner Sands, the general manager of the Rough Riders, said.

The weather held out for the rest of the game, and the team did bring the energy to the Mitchel Athletic Complex, scoring three goals and taking the win.

The game was supposed to be a big event, with a large crowd and a post-game meet and greet with the players. But due to the thunderstorms and rain delay, the crowd dwindled, and the night turned into a regular soccer game.

The fans who decided to stay in spite of thunderstorm warnings got to see a great win, including Catherine Nunziata, 10, and her brother Ben, 7, who are sports players and fans.

“It’s exciting to watch,” Catherine said, and Ben agreed.

Natalie D’Ippolito, 13, is the sister of player No. 8, Daniel D’Ippolito, and she was happy to come out and support her brother and his team. She herself has been playing soccer for seven years.

“I think it’s very entertaining to watch and there’s a lot of action,” she said about the game.

Despite the night ending up differently than planned, Sands was still grateful for the opportunity to play and the partnership the Rough Riders has with the Town of Hempstead.

“We appreciate the Town of Hempstead for continuing to promote us and be a valuable partner, and we hope we can continue to bring professional soccer to Long Island and show the pathway for youth soccer,” Sands said.