PITTSBURGH (Feb. 18, 2023) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC posted its second consecutive shutout of the preseason after battling to a 0-0 draw with perennial NCAA power Akron this afternoon at Highmark Stadium.
The clean sheet was shared in goal by the Hounds’ two goalkeepers under contract; Jahmali Waite began the game with a starting lineup of primarily returning players, and he gave way for newly signed Christian Garner to finish the match’s final 28 minutes.
The Hounds had more of the chances in the game, starting with a free kick in the 19th minute by Marc Ybarra that forced a save, but Akron showed some potency on the counter, with Johnny Fitzgerald nearly putting home a chance at the back post in the 26th minute for the Zips.
One game after three unsigned trialists scored for the Hounds, it nearly happened again in the 36th minute, as the Hounds had the ball in the net from a Robbie Mertz cross, only to have the goal ruled offside.
Just as in last week’s preseason match, the second half saw the Hounds go deep into their bench, and new addition Langston Blackstock just missed on a close-range effort four minutes after entering the game.
Chances began to dry up as both teams rotated more players into the match, and the Hounds’ defense — anchored by a 90-minute shift from center back Arturo Ordóñez — kept an energetic Zips team off the board.
The Hounds hit the penultimate week preseason with a pair of matches upcoming. They go on the road to face fellow USL Championship team Detroit City FC on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. before returning home to host Pitt in a cross-town battle at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25.
