ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Former Northern Illinois University men’s soccer player Sean Totsch helped the Rochester Rhinos win the USL Championship over LA Galaxy II last Friday night (Oct. 16) at Sahlen’s Stadium.

A native of Oswego, Ill., Totsch started the championship match and played the first 66 minutes as the Rhinos outlasted Galaxy II, 2-1, in overtime to win their fifth league title, and first since 2010.  

“This was an unbelievable rookie season that I am very thankful to have been a part of,” said Totsch. “The team was full of talented and genuine people that made every day a pleasure. I was able to grow as a player and learn what it meant to be a professional. Hopefully this experience carries me into a long and successful career.”

In his first season with the Rhinos, Totsch appeared in 20 matches during the regular season, including 13 starts, while helping Rochester to a league-best 17-1-10 overall record. Totsch scored his first professional goal on Sept. 19, 2015, netting the game-winning in stoppage time of a 3-2 victory over New York Red Bulls II.

In the playoffs, Totsch came off the bench to play 21 minutes in a 2-0 victory over Red Bulls II in the conference semifinals, he then saw 36 minutes of action as a substitute in a 1-0 win over Louisville City FC in the conference final before getting the start in the final.

Totsch appeared in 64 matches as a Huskies in four seasons (2010-13), including 47 starts. He scored six goals during his Huskie career, including the game-winning goal in the 2011 Mid-American Conference Championship Game.