Dayton, OH-The Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Dayton Dutch Lions finish in a 1-1 draw Saturday night at Careflight Field. The Dutch Lions jumped on top of the visiting side in the 80th minute when Mettin Copier connected cleanly on a drop pass from Eli Garner. Seven minutes later, the Riverhounds Darren Amoo brought the score level off a service from Nikola Katic.
Playing on a small field in Careflight, direct play and physical challenges were a constant throughout the game. Both sides bi-passed the midfield and turned the defense in order to create opportunities on goal.
Around the 60th minute, the game began to open up as each side was sending multiple runners into the attack. It was only a matter of time before a counter attack would end in a goal.
With ten minutes to go in the game, the Dutch Lions would take advantage of a failed clearance from the Riverhounds. Picking up the loose ball at the edge of the middle third, the Dutch Lions threaded a pass for Garner streaking down the left flank. Out running his marker to the end line, Garner slotted a back pass towards the penalty stripe for Copier. Timing his run perfectly, Copier rifled a left-footed shot past Hunter Gilstrap to put the home side on the scoreboard.
Pushing forward for the equalizer, the Riverhounds earned a set piece on the right flank thirty-five yards from goal. Rich Costanzo delivered a cross towards the back post that fell at the feet of Katic. Taking a touch to prepare his body, Katic struck a low, hard cross towards the mouth of the goal. Finding himself all alone inside the 6-yard box, Amoo tapped home the tying goal with three minutes remaining in regulation.
The Riverhounds nearly found the game-winner in added time on back-to-back corner kicks. Costanzo delivered two quality crosses that were both turned towards the back of the net by Mike Seth, but Dutch Lions goalkeeper Matt Williams was in good position to deny the game-winner.
The Riverhounds return to action next Sunday when they host the Rochester Rhinos at Chartiers Valley Stadium. The game is scheduled for a 3:00 PM kickoff on Father’s Day. The Dutch Lions travel to the west coast for a two-game road trip against the Los Angeles Blues.
