Pittsburgh, PA - On a cool evening accompanied with some spitting rain, the Riverhounds (6-5-6) shutout the Monarchs (3-8-7) and converted one goal in each half to win 2-0. The clash between the Clubs lived up to its hype as it was filled with physical battles, tactical fouls and multiple nail-biting moments for the 1,058 spectators who were in attendance.

The match began just as anticipated, with both Clubs looking to break free early. The Monarchs direct style of play gave them the first scoring opportunity in the 6^th minute. Defender, Garreth Evans played a long driven ball into the left corner for midfielder Ben Hunter. Evans’ driven ball enabled Hunter to serve a dangerous cross to the back post and find Devon McKenney alone and redirect the service on frame. Riverhounds goalkeeper, Hunter Gilstrap quickly recovered to his back post and deflected the ball out of danger.

The Riverhounds developed a few combinations minutes later to free Alex Weekes in the right corner. Weekes let a bouncing ball travel across his body to strike a left-footed volley to the near upper ninety. Monarch’s goalkeeper Brian Levey, colliding with the upright, made a spectacular save at the near post just before the ball rippled the back of the net. 

In the 20^th minute the Monarchs received a dangerous set piece. The ensuing service from Hunter found the head of Jyler Noviello leaping through the scrum. Noviello’s header found the back of the net, but the Monarchs were called off sides and stripped of the goal.

One minute later Riverhounds rookie, Jeremy Deighton’s individual effort would give the Hounds the lead. Deighton took advantage of a Monarch’s defensive miscue and buried a left footed volley from just inside the penalty area.

After the break, the Riverhounds nearly capitalized off of an overlapping combination, but Levey came up with another diving save. Riverhounds outside back, Sterling Flunder overlapped down the left flank and received a through pass off of a combination from Matt Tuttle and Chad Severs. Out pacing his mark, Flunder slotted a pass back to the penalty stripe to find Tuttle alone with a free look at the goal. Tuttle’s well placed shot was parried wide by the outstretched hands of Levey.

The Riverhounds converted on a set piece in the 68^th minute and provide themselves with a two goal lead. Tommy Gray played a quick restart to catch the Monarchs off balance and find Nate Salsi all alone with Levey. Salsi’s confident receipt of the cross provided him with ample time to pick out the bottom right corner and slot home the insurance goal.

The Monarchs best opportunity of the second half came in the 89^th minute off the head of Mike Pertz. A dangerous cross to the back post found Pertz rising above the crowd, but his redirection went high and wide of the goal.

The Riverhounds return to action on Wednesday at Chartiers Valley as they host inner-state rival, the Harrisburg City Islander. The Hounds look to break the stalemate in the Keystone Derby as the two previous meetings between the Clubs ended in a 1-1 draw. Kick-off is slated for 7:00 PM.

For ticket information, visit www.riverhounds.com or call into the Riverhounds Office at 412.539.1191.