For his second straight start, Kyle Morton ended a match with zero saves.
Typically, finishing a game with a zero in the saves column is an unwelcome sight for goalkeepers. But this was not a usual score sheet, as Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC tied Indy Eleven, 0-0, last time out.
Morton recorded zero saves not because he was beat on shots from the opposition, but instead the reason rested in that the Hounds allowed zero shots on net – a feat accomplished by the team in each of the James Madison University product’s past two starts.
As Riverhounds SC (4-0-4) now readies for a road showdown with the Tampa Bay Rowdies (4-5-0) at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Al Lang Stadium, it will look to continue to its lockdown defensive play.
“Soccer is a crazy sport, so we just try to minimize as many opportunities that the other team has because anything can happen once shots get on target,” defender Jordan Dover said. “There are deflections and things as well. We just try to minimize those opportunities as much as possible.”
Preventing shots on target is a vital part to the Hounds’ unbeaten record, and the team has allowed just 1.63 shots on goal per game. Also currently allowing just 0.38 goals per game, the squad is on pace to shatter its previous best mark of 0.85 goals allowed per game, which it recorded during the 2004 campaign.
The statistical anomalies continue, as Pittsburgh has double the amount of clean sheets (six) than goals allowed this season (three). In fact, the Hounds rank first in the Eastern Conference in clean sheets, but dead last with eight saves – exemplifying the team’s success in preventing shots on target.
“We always make sure we’re covering for each other,” said Dover, who is coming off a USL Team of the Week honor. “We all work for each other, getting in the right positions, so if somebody cuts inside there’s another player ready to block the shot. We just keep numbers around the ball to make it difficult for the other team to play.”
The Hounds have recorded four of their six shutouts without the efforts of defender Joe Greenspan, who has been out due to a calf injury. The 6-foot-6-inch center back had posted 29 clearances through the first two games of the season before sustaining his injury.
Helping fill in the hole that Greenspan left behind has largely been the pairing of Tobi Adewole and Todd Pratzner at the center of the backline. Adewole is in the midst of his second season with Pittsburgh, and the team has recorded a shutout in a whopping 39 percent of his career games played with the club.
Meanwhile, Pratzner came to Pittsburgh after spending his rookie season with the Rochester Rhinos. One year later, he now ranks second on the Hounds with 34 clearances behind Adewole, who has 42 clearances. This strong defensive presence has been drilled into the backline by the coaching staff since preseason training camp.
“Bob [Lilley] helps me a lot,” Adewole said. “He holds me accountable for everything. If I look like I’m tired or out of focus, then he snaps me back in it very quickly. He lets me know when I’m doing something right. He let’s me know when I’m doing something wrong.”
For Pittsburgh, which has yet to trail in a match this season, to continue its defensive success, it will need to step up its game at an imposing Al Lang Stadium, where the Rowdies have outscored opponents 9-0 and hold a 3-0 home record this year.
In addition, Tampa Bay ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference with 114 total shots. The club also has logged 4.22 shots on goal per game.
“It’s definitely a difficult place to play, but at the same time anywhere we go we try to get three points,” Dover said. “Just want to make sure we assert ourselves early in the game and let them know that we’re ready to play.”
