LEESBURG, Va. (June 2, 2021) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC picked up its second consecutive win, holding off Loudoun United FC, 3-2, on Wednesday night at Segra Field.
Anthony Velarde’s first goal of the season and an own goal staked the Hounds to a 2-0 halftime lead. Jovanny Bolivar cut the margin in half for Loudoun (1-3-0), but Russell Cicerone converted a penalty kick to reestablish a two-goal lead for the Hounds (2-2-1).
Logan Panchot made it 3-2 in the 70th minute, setting up a frantic finish that saw both teams have chances barely miss in stoppage time.
First half
Things started well for the Hounds, and their early edge in possession and shots — the Hounds took the first seven shots of the match — paid off in the 18th minute.
Alex Dixon got behind the left side of the Loudoun defense, and his cross found a late-running Velarde, whose one-touch finish put the Hounds ahead. For Dixon, it was the second consecutive match with an assist.
In the 41st minute, Dixon again created a goal, this time sending the service into the box from the right side. The cross was directed toward the head of Kenardo Forbes, but it ended up striking Loudoun’s Wahab Ackwei and going into the defender’s own net.
Second half
Loudoun came out much stronger after the break, and Bolivar put the home team on the board in the 50th minute with a second-chance shot after the initial attempt at goal was blocked.
Dixon again helped create the next Hounds goal, as he got behind the Loudoun defense and was bowled over from behind by defender Micael DeShields, earning a penalty kick. Cicerone stepped up and placed a low shot into the corner of the net for his team-leading third goal of the season.
Panchot cut the lead to 3-2 with Loudoun’s second goal, a low, driven shot from outside the box that capped a good counter-attacking move.
From there, the Hounds did what they could to hold on, but they were put under heavy pressure late, as Loudoun finished the match with 60 percent of possession, though shots were even, 12-12.
Danny Griffin nearly sealed the game with a shot that hit the crossbar in stoppage time, but a minute later, Preston Kilwien was able to clear a Loudoun chance off the Hounds’ goal line that would have tied the game.
Hounds Man of the Match
For the second game in a row, Alex Dixon was at the heart of the Hounds attack. Though he didn’t finish this one with a goal, his crosses set up Anthony Velarde and created the own goal that went the Hounds way, and he drew the foul that led to Russell Cicerone’s penalty kick goal.
What’s next
The Hounds return home this Sunday for a first-ever meeting with Western Conference opponent Austin Bold (1-1-1). The match will be shown on 22 The Point and streamed on ESPN+. Austin plays at home Thursday night against the El Paso Locomotive.
Riverhounds SC lineup (4-4-2) — Jake Leeker; Preston Kilwien, Shane Wiedt, Mekeil Williams, Jalen Robinson (Dani Rovira 59’); Danny Griffin, Kenardo Forbes, Todd Wharton (Louis Perez 83’), Anthony Velarde (Jordan Dover 59’); Alex Dixon (Jelani Peters 83’), Russell Cicerone (Josh Gatt 71’)
Loudoun United FC lineup (3-4-3) — Jermaine Fordah; Wahab Ackwei (Gaoussou Samake 45’), Tommy Mehl, Micael DeShields (Massimo Ferrin 89’); Robby Dambrot, Logan Panchot, Houssou Landru (Ted Ku-Dipietro 45’), Jeremy Garay (Darluis Paz 67’); Samson Sergi, Kairou Amoustapha (Jacob Greene 59’), Jovanny Bolivar
Scoring Summary
PIT – Anthony Velarde 18’ (Alex Dixon)
PIT – Wahab Ackwei 41’ (own goal)
LDN – Jovanny Bolivar 50’
PIT – Russell Cicerone 58’ (penalty)
LDN – Logan Panchot 70’ (Jovanny Bolivar)
Discipline Summary
LDN – Houssou Landru 14’ (caution – unsporting behavior)
LDN – Timmy Mehl 20’ (caution – unsporting behavior)
LDN – Gaoussou Samake 46’ (caution – unsporting behavior)
PIT – Alex Dixon 51’ (caution – unsporting behavior)
LDN – Micael DeShields 57’ (caution – unsporting behavior)
PIT – Josh Gatt 71’ (caution – unsporting behavior)
