Looking back at 2017, Inside The Box conducts its first-ever best-of season recap series. In the final installment of this five-part feature, we reflect on the Riverhounds’ best moments.
April 8: Charleston Battery Victory
The Hounds won their first game of the season in dramatic fashion. In extra time, Kevin Kerr connected a cross to the head of Corey Hertzog, who scored the game-winning goal in front of the road crowd.
April 30: Watson Institute Special Kick Clinic
This past spring, the Hounds hosted the fifth annual Watson Institute Special Kick Clinic at Highmark Stadium. Allowing for special needs children to safely participate in soccer drills, the Special Kick Clinic saw the likes of pro team players Taylor Washington and Jack Thompson, among others, help provide a team-building and joyous atmosphere.
Aug. 5: Payton’s Army Night
In support of 11-year-old Payton Michele Bowling, who had been diagnosed with Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma (a rare form of brain cancer), the Hounds and the Pittsburgh community came together during the Aug. 5 home game against the Richmond Kickers. To help with medical costs as Payton recovers from successful surgery that she underwent this past May, the Hounds hosted a fundraiser with all proceeds going directly to the Bowling family. Professional teams in Pittsburgh and across the USL donated items to be bid on, and Hounds game-worn jerseys were auctioned off postgame.
Aug. 12: Keystone Derby Cup Win
For the first time since its inaugural year in 2015, the Hounds clinched the Keystone Derby Cup, presented by K&L Gates and the Pennsylvania Lottery, with a dominant 3-0 road performance against the Harrisburg City Islanders. Trey Mitchell recorded the shutout whereas Romeo Parkes (one goal) and Chevaughn Walsh (two goals) supplied the offense.
Sept. 16: Pittsburgh Spirit Night
Throwing it back to the 1980s, soccer fans celebrated Spirit Night at Highmark Stadium this past September. Honoring the previous professional indoor soccer team, the Pittsburgh Spirit, players donned special Spirit tops during warmups and former Spirit players participated in a pregame meet and greet.
