Pittsburgh, PA - On a cool, cloudy night the Riverhounds (0-3-3) battled back from a two-goal deficit to take the lead early in the second half, but the Battery (6-0-1) did not falter and scored two late goals to win 4-3. The up tempo pace and exciting action in both penalty areas kept all 962 spectators on the edge of their seats.

From the opening whistle the Riverhounds high pressure and creativity earned the Club multiple dangerous opportunities in the Battery’s defensive end. The most notable opportunity came in the 4^th minute of play when Lee Kouadio-Tobey broke free down the left flank and served a bending ball in front of the goal mouth. Fellow rookie, Jeremy Deighton beating his mark to the cross and sharply headed the ball on frame but Battery goalkeeper, Tim Melia was up for the challenge and stretched out to smother Deighton’s header.

Charleston’s direct style of play caught the Riverhounds on a counter attack in the 20^th minute. The Battery defense played a long ball into Tom Heinemanne’s feet.  Heinemanne surrounded by two Riverhound defenders, scooted out of the traffic and played overlapping midfielder, Steve Armstrong a pass behind the Rivehounds defense. Armstrong’s first time shot was smothered by Riverhound goalkeeper, Hunter Gilstrap but the ball slipped out of his hands and Rudolph Mayard tucked the ball into the empty net.

Four minutes later Heinemanne’s individual effort down the left side allowed him to beat two Riverhounds and slot the ball past Gilstrap to put the Battery up 2-0.

The Riverhounds needed a lift before the half and received just that from the Kouadio-Tobey/Deighton tandem. The two linked up for a thrilling yet scary goal. Kouadio-Tobey received a diagonal ball in the left corner and served another brilliant cross into the penalty area. Deighton went all out, diving for the cross and collided with the ball and Battery defender, Mike Zaher. The ball found the back of the net and both Deighton and Zaher lay motionless inside the six yard box.

Deighton left the field in an ambulance and was treated at Allegheny General for a concussion while Zaher received stitches on site. 

The Riverhounds came out in the second half with emotion and energy for their fallen teammate and scored in the 47^th minute. A throw in deep inside the Battery’s end found Chad Severs flicking the ball on to a slashing Kouadio-Tobey to bury the flick past a diving Melia.

With the score knotted at two, the momentum quickly transferred to the home side. The high pressure began to open up the Battery defense and landed Alex Weekes free inside the penalty area. Outside midfielder, Matt Baker played a cheeky clipped ball to the third attacker Weekes inside the eighteen. Weekes’ first attempt on goal was deflected but landed at his feet. His second effort would not be denied as he slid a left footed shot past an approaching Melia to put the Riverhounds up 3-2 in the 59^th minute.

The Battery, playing down a goal, began to pick up the pressure on the Hounds in the middle third and during the 83^rd minute tied the score at three. Battery substitute, Amaury Nunes received a pass from Heinemanne and ripped a shot from 30 yards to catch Gilstrap off his line.

The Riverhounds gave the Battery a dangerous set piece 30 yards from the goal. Battery midfielder, Kevin Jackson stepped into the ball and served a low driven ball into the scrum. Nunes redirected the ball with his head and put the Battery on top 4-3 in the 90^th minute.

The Battery traveled to Harrisburg after the match to wrap up their two-game road trip against the City Islanders (0-4-1) tonight at 7:00 PM in City Island.

The Riverhounds return to action next Saturday against the Richmond Kickers (3-1-3) at the University of Richmond Stadium. Kick-Off is scheduled for 7:00 PM.