RE-MATCH VS. HARRISBURG NEXT SATURDAY
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds were defeated for the first time in 2009, losing a 3-0 decision to the Harrisburg City Islanders Saturday night. The Hounds are now 1-1-2 (5 points) and in seventh place in the United Soccer Leagues Second Division. Harrisburg improves to 2-1-1 (7 points), now in second place.
The game started out slowly before the Islanders created a scoring chance off of a Riverhounds’ giveaway that turned into a breakaway for Harrisburg's Chad Severs. Pittsburgh goalkeeper Zach Varga left the goal box and went after the ball and was red carded for a hard foul in the 36th minute. Dan Waltman replaced Varga and defenseman Allan Brown left the game for Varga’s foul, giving the Islanders a man-advantage. Harrisburg was awarded a penalty kick, taken by Chad Severs. His shot eluded Waltman to put the Islanders ahead by one.
Harrisburg took a 2-0 lead when Severs found the back of the net again in the 44th minute. He was assisted by Mo Odour.
The Hounds made tactical changes at halftime which resulted in a more open game as they tried to even the numbers in the attack. Riverhounds Jason Kutney, Sean Bucknor, and Justin Evans had several scoring chances but were unable to convert any into goals.
The City Islanders got a third goal in the middle of the second half when Tivi Shipalane struck in the 59th minute, assisted by Jason Pelletier. Harrisburg held their 3-0 lead for the rest of the game, even though the sides were evened in the 74th minute when Harrisburg’s Jason Massie was ejected for going two-footed over the ball in a challenge with Riverhounds Midfielder Matt Langton.
1,455 fans watched the game under cloudy skies with the kick-off time temperature of 80-degrees at the Skyline Sports Complex onCity Island in the middle of the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg.
The Riverhounds and City Islanders play a return match next Saturday night May 16th at 7:05 p.m. at Chartiers Valley Stadium.
Player/Coach Justin Evans predicts a similar type of game to be played, hopefully with a different result.
"This weekend should prove to be just as intense a contest with the City Islanders coming to CV Stadium ," he said. "The Hounds will be ready and waiting."
