USL Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Riverhounds Begin Exhibitions with 1-0 Win

Published on March 21, 2011 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release


Pittsburgh, PA-The Riverhounds second day of preseason took place at the state-of-the-art Peterson Sports Complex on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh for an exhibition match against the Panthers. The Riverhounds converted a goal in the second half to claim a one goal victory over the Panthers.

The match began with a frantic pace, as the Riverhounds and Panthers were looking to gain early control of the play. The majority of the first half was held within the middle third as both lines of defense were quick to stifle the opposition's attack and clear the ball away from danger. The Riverhounds were focused on building a solid attack, while the Panthers were looking to play direct.

Neither the Riverhounds nor the Panthers established a dominant attack in the first half, but each side had opportunities to break the stalemate. In the eighteenth minute, the Riverhounds gained an advantage with a smooth combination at midfield between Matt Tuttle and Rookie, Ben Horner. Following the combo, Tuttle found Tommy Gray down the right flank by playing a diagonal ball behind the Panther's defense. Gray collected the ball in stride and delivered a bending cross for an onrushing Chad Severs, but saw his service headed out for a corner. The Panthers first half opportunity came off a counter two minutes later, but was quickly smothered by the Hounds' tracking defenders.

The second half opened with a calm Riverhounds side and a high-paced Panthers side. The Panthers gained the first quality scoring opportunity in the 56th minute off a left-to-right counter. A breakdown in the midfield allowed for the Panthers to get behind the Riverhounds' left side and serve a cross to the back post. The Panther's attacker, looking to connect on the cross, had a heavy touch and goalkeeper-on-trial, Greg Blum confidently made a diving save.

During the last thirty minutes of regulation, the play began to open up for the Riverhounds as a result of the Panthers direct style of play. Outside midfielders, Tuttle and Gray found themselves isolated multiple times down the flanks allowing them to serve dangerous balls into the penalty area. Unfortunately for the Hounds, Tuttle and Gray's services did not connect with any of their teammates.

The deciding build-up came in the 77th minute of the match. Riverhounds player on trial, Neil Schaffer traveled into free space and penetrated the Panthers defense. After committing a Panther `s defender, Schaffer slotted a pass to a slashing Jeremy Deighton at the top of the eighteen. Deighton collected Schaffer's pass with composure and confidently finished past the approaching Panther goalkeeper.

The Riverhounds continue with their exhibition matches on Tuesday, March 22nd against the Robert Morris Colonials. The match is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. kickoff at Joe Walton Stadium.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 21, 2011


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