with a 7–13–0 record, missing the playoffs for a second straight year. Etienne was Long Island's top scorer again (nine goals), while Wilmer Cabrera contributed five assists. The next season was arguably the worst in team history, with the Rough Riders finishing at the bottom of the table with three wins and fifteen goals scored. The 2006 season was marred by a 13-game winless streak stretching from opening day through mid-July. Losses included: 5–0 to Richmond Kickers, 3–0 to Harrisburg City Islanders, and 3–0 to Wilmington Hammerheads. Long Island's first victory was a scrappy 1–0 home win against New Hampshire Phantoms at home, on an 84th-minute strike from Moussa Sy. The high point was a 3–2 seesaw win over Wilmington in the season finale. Following the campaign, the team chose to voluntarily relegate themselves to the USL-PDL for the 2007 season. USL-PDL The Rough Riders' first season in PDL began with four straight wins, including a 3–1 road win against the Brooklyn Knights. Their early season form took them to the US Open Cup for the fourth time, but they exited the competition at the hands of USL First Division stalwarts Rochester Raging Rhinos. Long Island's home form was their strong point, with five wins and a tie in front of their fans at Michael Tully Field. The Rough Riders' first season at this level ended with them fourth in the Northeast Division, nine points behind divisional champs Cape Cod Crusaders, and just out of the playoffs. Mike Grella was top scorer with five goals, while Jose Batista contributed five assists. Long Island was again a playoff contender in 2008. The Rough Riders tied their first game of the season 1–1 before demolishing Virginia Legacy 5–1, with Mike Grella scoring a hat trick. The team was again successful at home, registering five wins and three ties at Michael Tully Field. They won an exciting 4–3 encounter with the Westchester Flames in early June, scored a 90th-minute equalizer through goalkeeper Hasely Holder to tie 3–3 with Newark Ironbound Express, and flattened New Jersey Rangers 6–0, with Grella and Anthony Barberio scoring two goals each. The Rough Riders finished the season third in the Northeast Division, two points behind Newark Ironbound Express, and agonizingly out of the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Mike Grella and Michael Todd were the team's leading scorers, each scoring five goals. Todd and Tadeu Terra tallied