The Ocean City Barons (5-5-5, 20 pts.) poor run of form in the second half of the season continued on Saturday night with a 3-0 loss at home to the Long Island Rough Riders (6-4-4, 22 pts.). After beginning the first eight games of the season unbeaten (4-0-4), the next seven games for the Barons have been a disaster, winning just one game while earning a 1-5-1 record and being eliminated from postseason contention.

The loss marked the first time in team history that the Barons have lost three games in a row, losing last Sunday 2-1 to the Hampton Roads Piranhas, and this past Wednesday to the Brooklyn Knights 4-1. This also marks the first time that they have lost three games at home in one season.

With the win, the Rough Riders snap a three-game losing streak and keep their playoff hopes alive. However, they will need to win their final two matches (home vs. New Jersey, home vs. Northern Virginia) and get some favorable results in other games to have a shot.

Former Baron Michael Todd opened the scoring in the 22nd minute to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Midway through the second half, Pavelid Castaneda would cripple the Barons’ comeback attempts with a goal on an assist by Oliver Skelding. In the 85th minute, the Rough Riders would put Ocean City out of their misery with goal number three coming from Patrick Figueiredo.

Dylan Lawrence made four saves for Ocean City as his record falls to 1-3-1, while John San Filippo stopped four shots of his own to improve to 3-2-1.

The Barons will close out the 2008 regular season on Sunday, July 20 when they host the New Jersey Rangers at Carey Stadium. Ocean City try to go for the season sweep against the expansion club, having won the first two games 8-1 on May 14 and 3-0 on June 13.