USL Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Riverhounds and City Islanders Draw 1-1

Published on August 4, 2010 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release


Pittsburgh, PA-An intense thunderstorm rolled through the Tri-State area delaying the start of the match and influencing the tempo with the wet conditions. The Riverhounds (6-5-7) scored late in the first half but could not hold off the City Islanders (4-8-6) as they equalized in the 87th minute.

The rivalry between the intra-state Clubs was elevated to its highest tier, as a playoff berth was up for grabs. The physical play and pace of the match was constant throughout, leading to an unprecedented third clash in the Keystone Derby. Every tackle, pass and miscue lead to an opportunity to break open the match and impress the 765 spectators who sat on the edge of their seat.

In the 6th minute of play, Riverhounds' Captain Travis MacKenzie's made a leaping goal-line clearance with his head to deny the Isles the early lead. City Islander, David Schofield headed a back post cross over the scrum and past Riverhounds' goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap only to see MacKenzie clear the ball out of danger.

The Riverhounds and City Islanders began to settle into the pace of the match around the 10th minute, but could not connect on the final penetrating pass. Gilstrap and City Islanders' goalkeeper Tomer Chencinski collected the skipping passes with ease and stifled the opportunities.

A quick throw in from the Riverhounds caught the City Islanders off balance and led to a Jeremy Deighton goal. Tommy Gray found Alex Weekes slashing down the right flank and flicking the ball on for Deighton. Weekes' flick gave Deighton all the space he would need to strike a right-footed volley past Chencinski and put the Hounds up at the break.

Following intermission, the match continued to open up and multiple counter attacks would unfold, but Gilstrap and Chencinski would stand strong.

The Riverhounds Chad Severs received a pass with his back to goal and touched the ball across his body to free him of his mark. With only one step, Severs blasted a left-footed strike on frame, but Chencinski got a hand on it and pushed it off the woodwork to deny Severs.

The City Islanders would continue to press forward with hopes of finding an equalizer and in the 87th minute they did just that. A long-diagonal ball; served deep into the left corner, would find Vince Petrasso on a counter. Petrasso pushed towards the bi-line and slotted a ball back towards the penalty stripe for Kai Kasiguran. A first time strike from Kasiguran would beat Gilstrap and knot the score at one.

In the closing seconds of the match, City Islanders' Captain Dustin Bixler made his own heroic contribution by clearing the game winner off the goal-line. The Riverhounds countered off a City Islanders turnover in the midfield and found Gray streaking down the right flank. Gray delivered a beautiful bending ball into the penalty area for three streaking Riverhounds. The cross found a diving Tony Labudovski all alone at the back post. Labudovski's diving header beat the Isles' goalkeeper Chencinski but was denied by Bixler.

The Riverhounds return to action this Saturday for their final home match of the season against Charleston Battery (10-3-5). The match is scheduled for a 7:00 PM Kick-Off at Chartiers Valley Stadium. The City Islanders travel back to Harrisburg for a clash with Richmond (8-5-5) on Saturday Night. Kick-Off is slated for 7:00 PM at Skyline Sports Complex.

For ticket information visit, www.riverhounds.com or call into the Riverhounds Office at 412.539.1191.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 4, 2010


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