OTTAWA, Ontario (May 13, 2017) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (4-3-2) pushed their winning streak to three games, using a second-half tally by Corey Hertzog to shut out Ottawa Fury FC (1-3-3), 1-0, at TD Place Stadium.
The victory marked not only the third straight win for the Hounds, but also a third straight clean sheet – both firsts for the club since 2013 and 2011, respectively. Hertzog’s tally meanwhile came in the 52nd minute, moving his team-leading total to five on the season.
After a scoreless 45 minutes saw the clubs primarily trading possession, as well as some timely defense from the Hounds backline, action took off immediately in the final half. Fury FC made a strong bid to take the lead, notching two corners and a shot off the crossbar in the first five minutes.
Weathering the storm, the Hounds proved opportunistic, parlaying a free kick in the 51st minute into the first and only goal of the match.
Following the take into the box, the ball bounced out to the right to Ritchie Duffie. The rookie defender worked quickly to create space before sending in a perfectly placed ball to a wide-open Hertzog for a header past the left of goalkeeper Callum Irving.
The tally was the first scored at TD Place Stadium in regular season play this year.
From there, the Hounds held serve against a furious comeback attempt from Ottawa, including a near equalizer in the waning moments of the second half.
On what appeared a harmless ball back into the Hounds defensive third, Jamal Jack attempted to let a ball through to Marshall Hollingsworth, not accounting for a pressure from Jimmy Shammar Sanon of Ottawa. Sanon gained possession immediately, pushing on goal. Jack though was able to make an impressive recovery, keeping pace and eventually sliding to deflect the attempt on goal.
The victory marked one hard-fought for the Hounds on the road, as they overcame a shot differential of 15-to-6 and 53-47 split in possession – Pittsburgh held the advantage in shots on goal at 4-to-3. Center backs Jack and Joe Greenspan played a crucial role in the defensive third, combining for 14 clearances, six tackles and four blocked shots.
For Hertzog, along with being his fifth goal in 2017, the forward now has 18 in his career with the Hounds and three game-winning goals on the season – the latter all via headers.
Also of note, the assist from Duffie was the first point of his professional career, while goalkeeper Trey Mitchell moved into a tie for the league lead in clean sheets at three.
A busy week lies ahead for the Hounds, as they begin Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play on the road against Chicago FC United at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17 in Evanston, Illinois. Pittsburgh will then host Louisville City FC at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 20 for Military Appreciation Night. Tickets for the latter are still available and can be purchased by visiting www.riverhounds.com.
Lineups:
Riverhounds – Trey Mitchell – Ritchie Duffie (Romeo Parkes 62’), Jamal Jack, Joe Greenspan, Taylor Washington – Marshall Hollingsworth, Stephen Okai (Mike Green 68’), Victor Souto, Jack Thompson – Kevin Kerr, Corey Hertzog (Kay Banjo 90’)
Subs not used: Keasel Broome, Gale Agbossoumonde, Ben Fitzpatrick, Abuchi Obinwa
Ottawa Fury FC – Callum Irving, Onua Obasi, Kyle Venter, Ramon Martin Del Campo – Sergio Manesio, Jonathan Barden, Eddie Edward (Tucker Hume 71’), Lance Rozeboom – Jose’ Seoane (Jimmy Shammar Sanon 58’), Michael Salazar, Nicholas DePuy
Subs not used: David Paulmin, Thomas Meilleur-Giguere, Shane McEleney, Aron Mkungilwa, Jamar Dixon
Scoring Summary:
PGH – Corey Hertzog (Ritchie Duffie) – 52’
Misconduct Summary:
PGH – Taylor Washington (Caution) – 39’
OTT – Lance Rozeboom (Caution) – 88’
OTT – Sergio Manesio (Caution) – 90’
