PITTSBURGH (March 4, 2017) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds powered their way to a 3-1 preseason victory over the University of Pittsburgh on a chilly afternoon at Ambrose Urbanic Field.
Corey Hertzog provided the match’s go-ahead tally in the 64th minute, while Kay Banjo added insurance in the 86th minute with his first career goal as a Hound. Scoring in the first half saw the clubs battle to a knotted score with tallies from Kevin Kerr (30’) and Colin Brezniak (33’).
Kerr opened up the scoring with a rocket of a shot from the 16-yard mark off a nice feed by John Manga. Receiving Manga’s pass with his back turned to goal, Kerr switched immediately to face the goal and beat goalkeeper Mikal Outcalt with a shot off the bottom of the crossbar.
Pitt would respond soon after, as midfielder Marcony Pimentel made a solid run up the middle of the pitch, eventually finding Brezniak in the box for the finish.
The scoring picked up again in the 64th minute less shortly after head coach Dave Brandt switched out line-ups for the remainder of the match. Marshall Hollingsworth bullied his way into the box, forcing Outcalt to make a tough save in close. The Pitt goalkeeper was unable to corral the rebound though, as Hertzog was in the right place to cash in for the lead.
Hertzog factored in on the final tally of the match, as he fed Banjo with a useful through ball deep into the box. Banjo, jockeying to win position for a shot on goal, made quick work of the pass to give the Hounds a two-goal lead late.
With the victory, the Hounds continued their unbeaten play in preseason, improving to 3-0-1. They have scored nine goals to two goals conceded, while Hertzog and Kerr lead the club in scoring with three and two goals, respectively.
Also of note, the club had its sixth trialist make an appearance this preseason. Defender Gale Agbossoumonde came on in the second half wave of subs, playing center back alongside Tobi Adewole. He previously played for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
Preseason action continues tomorrow as the Hounds return to Highmark Stadium to take on the University of Charleston (W.Va) at 1 p.m. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. in what is expected to be another exciting day of action. The match is open to the public and fans will be able to enjoy 15-percent off select store merchandise and $2 on draft beers and select mixed drinks. For more information, visit www.riverhounds.com.
Line-up:
Riverhounds – Keasel Broome – Shane Campbell (Ritchie Duffie), Jamal Jack (Gale Agbossoumonde), Nick Thompson (Tobi Adewole), Taylor Washington (Jack Thompson) – Devaughn Elliott (Ben Fitzpatrick), Stephen Okai (Victor Souto), Mike Green (Ben Swanson), Kenroy Howell (Marshall Hollingsworth) – Kevin Kerr (Corey Hertzog), John Manga (Kay Banjo)
Scoring Summary:
PGH – Kevin Kerr (John Manga) – 30’
PITT – Colin Brezniak (Marcony Pimentel) – 33’
PGH – Corey Hertzog – 64’
PGH – Kay Banjo (Corey Hertzog) – 86’
