PITTSBURGH (Sept. 22, 2018) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (14-4-11) defeated Indy Eleven (12-9-9), 3-2, on Saturday at Highmark Stadium.
Leading the charge for the Hounds in one of their highest scoring affairs this season were Ben Zemanski, Neco Brett and Kenardo Forbes. Forbes’ goal, from the penalty spot in the 90th minute, became the game-winner once Indy drew one closer with a tally in the second minute of second-half stoppage time.
How It Happened
After the Hounds broke through on the scoreboard, they quickly gave an encore performance.
The first of two goals in two minutes happened in the 49th minute. As a loose ball came free just outside of the six-yard box, Ben Zemanski whipped his right foot around to boot the ball past Indy goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams to break the scoreless tie.
The second goal in this sequence came off the left foot of Neco Brett. The striker added to his team-leading goal total in similar fashion, kicking a loose ball into the back of the net from close range. His 15th goal of the season provided Pittsburgh with the 2-0 advantage.
Indy’s first shot on goal occurred in the 81st minute – and the squad made it count. Assisted by Juan Guerra, Jack McInerney potted his third goal of the season against the Hounds. This time, the striker beat Pittsburgh goalkeeper Dan Lynd with his right foot from the center of the penalty area to cut the Black and Gold’s lead in half, 2-1.
The Hounds soon struck back. Off a Hugh Roberts clearance in his team’s defensive third, Kenardo Forbes led the break down the field. With Brett sprinting on his right side, the midfielder passed the ball to his teammate, who was taken down inside the 18-yard box. Forbes then took and slotted home the penalty kick to give the Hounds a 3-1 lead.
Indy would strike once more before running out of time. Just two minutes after Forbes’ penalty kick goal, the Eleven would capitalize off of a Joe Greenspan own goal in the second minute of stoppage time before the final whistle.
Both sides went nearly the entire first half without a shot on goal, but the Hounds were the first to test the waters just prior to the halftime whistle.
In the second and final minute of first-half stoppage time, Brett released a shot from the right side of the 18-yard box. Fon Williams ultimately collected the forward’s shot, which was aimed at the far post.
Like Pittsburgh, the Eleven posted five total shots in the first-45 minutes. Perhaps their most eye-opening opportunity occurred in the 27th minute. Stemming from a free kick opportunity on the Hounds’ side of the field, defender Carlyle Mitchell released a bicycle kick from the center of the penalty area, but his chance sailed over the crossbar.
Man of the Match
Midfielder Ben Zemanski scored a goal, tied for the team lead in shots on target (two) and recorded a full-90 minutes for the first time since the Hounds last played Indy on Aug. 29.
Stat of the Game
With his 15th goal of the regular season, Neco Brett becomes the fifth different player in club history to reach this mark. He joins Thiago Martins (22 goals in 2003), Rob Vincent (18 goals in 2015), José Angulo (15 goals in 2013) and Said Ali (15 goals in 2004).
Beyond the Box Score
- Midfielder Ben Zemanski’s goal marked his first-ever in a Hounds uniform.
- Playing 77 minutes, attacking midfielder Christiano François led the squad with five key passes.
- With Kenardo Forbes’ penalty kick goal, this is the sixth straight season a Hound has collected two penalty kick goals.
- Defender Hugh Roberts led the Hounds with eight clearances.
What’s Next
Riverhounds SC will hit the road for the rivalry series-deciding match against Penn FC (9-13-8) at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at FNB Field. The sides tied both of their previous matches this season by a score of 0-0.
Lineups:
Riverhounds SC – Dan Lynd – Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Tobi Adewole, Joe Greenspan, Hugh Roberts, Jordan Dover (Andrew Lubahn 86’) – Ben Zemanski, Mouhamed Dabo – Kenardo Forbes (Romeo Parkes 90+1’), Christiano François (Ray Lee 77’) – Neco Brett
Subs not used: Mike Kirk, Ben Fitzpatrick, Joe Holland, Andrew Lubahn
Indy Eleven – Owain Fon Williams – Karl Ouimette, Carlyle Mitchell, Reiner Ferreira, Ayoze – Matthew Watson (Elliot Collier 65’), Brad Ring (Kevin Venegas 81’), Dylan Mares – Jack McInerney, Juan Guerra – Eugene Starikov (Soony Saad 45’)
Subs not used: Ben Lundgaard, Nico Matem, Brad Rusin, Benjamin Speas
Scoring Summary:
PGH – Ben Zemanski 49’
PGH – Neco Brett 51’
IND – Jack McInerney 81’ (Juan Guerra)
PGH – Kenardo Forbes 90’ (penalty)
IND – Joe Greenspan 90+2’ (own goal)
Misconduct Summary:
IND – Kevin Venegas 90+4’ (caution)
Quote Sheet
Head coach Bob Lilley
On Indy Eleven…
“I thought they were good and it was a meaningful game for them. They had a good first half on the road.”
On breaking down the Indy defense…
“They have good, experienced defenders, so to break them down and score the two goals and create some other good opportunities, especially in the second half, I think that’s a good sign for us.”
On scoring off loose balls in the box…
“I like getting garbage goals, getting guys in the box to score off of loose balls. We got two tonight. We seldom get any.”
Midfielder Ben Zemanski
On the team’s second half…
“I think we were a little bit more aggressive. We were getting to loose balls. We were making aggressive forward runs. We put them under a lot of pressure and we were rewarded for it.”
On playing with Christiano François…
“We look to get him into some space, look to get him in one-v-one matchups. Maybe he’s a little more direct and we know Kenny’s going to come inside and play a little bit and look to combine. We just look to take advantage of that matchup.”
On scoring his first goal in a Hounds uniform…
“They come few and far between in my career. I try to keep it simple and try to make runs in the box and open up space for each other and myself. The ball just fell to me, and it was nice to put it away.”
