Rochester Lancers To Cease Operations

The Rochester Lancers have shut down, and the owner of the indoor soccer team says it's due to a huge increase in workers compensation costs..

Salvatore "Soccer Sam" Fantauzzo said ina post on the Lancers website that a workers compensation insurance rate hike by the state from $20,000 to $200,000 a year is forcing the Lancers to cease operations.

Fantauzzo said the team was working towards a new season in November when staff were notified Monday of the decision.

The team appeared on the brink of ceasing operations last year until star player Doug Miller stepped in as director of operations and the team joined a new league.

Fantauzzo calls the time he had operating the Lancers "the greatest 4 years of my life," and he noted the team has 10 home dates per year with limited parking and concessions revenue at the Blue Cross Arena. He says he hopes someone brings back indoor soccer to Rochester in the near future.

Fantauzzo said the team is working on refunding season ticket holders.