HARRISBURG, Pa. (May 24, 2017) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (4-4-3) battled their way to a nil-nil draw in round two of the Keystone Derby Cup, presented by K&L Gates and the Pennsylvania Lottery, against the Harrisburg City Islanders (2-3-4) at FNB Field.
Picking up points in USL play for the fourth time in their last five matches – all clean sheets – the Hounds utilized strong defensive play across the board to keep the City Islanders off the board. With the draw, the clubs will have to wait until Aug. 12 to determine the 2017 Keystone Derby champion. Pittsburgh currently holds the advantage at 1-0-1 in the head-to-head series and can recapture the Cup with a win or draw in the final meeting.
Harrisburg dominated possession for much of the night, holding a 55-45 advantage in the category. The Hounds though were able to match the host in shots at 11 and found the frame two more times with five shots on goal to Harrisburg’s three.
Highlighting Pittsburgh’s efforts was goalkeeper Trey Mitchell, as well as the center back duo of Joe Greenspan and Jamal Jack.
Greenspan, most notably, led the Hounds in clearances for the sixth time in eight starts, finishing the night with nine.
For Jack, recording five clearances and two blocks for the match, he negated a golden scoring chance for Harrisburg in the 35th minute. Forward Aaron Wheeler made a nifty move to get himself behind the Pittsburgh backline. In on what appeared to be a clear breakaway, Wheeler barreled into the box only to see his shot blocked away last second by a solid recovery from Jack.
Mitchell’s effort in the 79th minute ensured his fourth clean sheet on the season – tied for the league lead. Harrisburg’s Rasheed Olabiyi freed himself at the top of the box, unleashing a rocket of a shot directly on goal. The Hounds keeper rose to the occasion, punching the take over the bar for an ensuing corner that brought no danger.
On the offensive end, despite leading the match in shots on goal, the Hounds now find themselves with only three goals in their past five league matches.
Forward Corey Hertzog had perhaps the best chance of the night in 90th minute. Receiving a beautiful long ball from Greenspan, Hertzog made a deft first touch to settle the pass and find his way past the Harrisburg defense. Attacking goalkeeper Sean Lewis at an angle, Hertzog sought the far-post, but saw his shot go high and wide.
Pittsburgh, overall, had five players record a shot on goal each for the game – Hertzog, Ben Fitzpatrick, Kevin Kerr, Stephen Okai, Romeo Parkes.
After playing a grueling four games in 12 days, the Hounds get a much needed break off, not playing again until Saturday, June 3 against Orlando City B (3-3-3) at Highmark Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.riverhounds.com.
Lineups:
Riverhounds – Trey Mitchell – Taylor Washington, Joe Greenspan, Jamal Jack, Ben Fitzpatrick – Stephen Okai, Kevin Kerr, Jack Thompson (Abuchi Obinwa 45’), Marshall Hollingsworth (Connor Maloney 70’) – Romeo Parkes (Chevaughn Walsh 85’), Corey Hertzog
Subs not used: Keasel Broome, Lalas Abubakar, Mike Green, Ritchie Duffie
Harrisburg City Islanders – Sean Lewis – Shawn McLaws, Tiago Calvano, James Thomas, Lee Nishanian – Mouhamed Dabo, Paul Wilson, Rasheed Olabiyi – Jonny Mendoza, Cardell Benbow (Frederick Opoku 40’), Aaron Wheeler (Pedro Ribeiro 45’)
Subs not used: Nick Noble, Jake Bond, Danny DiPrima, Travis Brent, Abass Mohammed
Misconduct Summary:
HAR – Mouhamed Dabo 29’ (caution)
HAR – Pedro Ribeiro 47’ (caution)
