Pittsburgh – On a frigid night in Station Square, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds defeat the Antigua Barracudas 2-0 at Highmark Stadium in front of a 1,515 audience. A goal by Mike Seth and Matt Dallman were all the home side would need to earn their second win of the season. With the win, the Riverhounds complete the month of May undefeated in USL PRO play, extending their streak to five games.
The game began with a slow pace during the first ten minutes of play; however the action was constant throughout the remainder of the match. The Riverhounds would find their first tally of the night in the 18th minute when Seth softly volleyed home from just inside the penalty area. Playing set-up man once again and increasing his league-leading total to six, Dallman delivered a crafty service for Seth jumping past his marker. Seth’s redirection of the service looped over the Barracudas net-minder Molvin James and into the back of the net.
Three minutes later, Seth found Jhonny Arteaga behind the Barracuda defense. Striking the ball cleanly with his left foot, Arteaga’s shot rifled past James, but his shot struck the upright and deflected back to Arteaga left of the goal. Trying to return the favor to Seth, Arteaga slid a ball back across the goalmouth, but James smothered the pass. On the ensuing distribution attempt from James to his defender, Seth was shown his second yellow card for a delay of game infraction, reducing the Riverhounds to ten men.
A flurry of chances for the Riverhounds just after the half-hour mark led to their second goal of the night. The possession began with Kevin Kerr playing a long ball from left-to-right for Dallman on the right touchline. Taking a touch inside and around his marker, Dallman lifted the ball over the second defender for Kerr running past. Cutting the ball back across the defense on his first touch, Kerr found Arteaga at the top of the penalty box. Continuing his run inside, Dallman overlapped Arteaga. A quality weighted pass by Arteaga allowed for Dallman to strike with his left foot from close distance. Dallman’s shot skipped past James and into the right side netting for his first goal of the season.
The Barracudas would threaten just before the break, but Riverhounds goalkeeper Greg Blum was up for the challenge. A combination between Lawson Robinson and Eugine Kirwan at the edge of the Riverhounds penalty area led to a shot from Robinson. Closing the ball and cutting down the angle, Blum was in good position to make the save.
In the final minute of the first half, Kerr picked the pocket of Barracuda defender Karamja Mack at the edge of the defensive third. Kerr quickly played Arteaga in for a one-on-one against James. Arteaga collected the pass and attempted to chip James, but the net-minder’s quick reaction turned the ball off frame and he was able to pick up the bouncing ball.
The Riverhounds would press for a third goal throughout the second half, but despite receiving multiple scoring opportunities their efforts were either thwarted by James or were just off target.
The Barracudas best scoring chance came in the 72nd minute on a switch of play. Tamorely Thomas played a ball from left-to-right for Kirwan all alone at the back post. Taking a preparation touch toward goal, Kirwan brought Blum off of his line. Closing down Kirwan’s touch, Blum’s reaction was on point and turned the shot off frame, seeing the big goalkeeper scurry to pounce on the bouncing ball.
The Barracuda were reduced to ten men in the 78th minute when Dallman was in on goal and brought down by George Dublin just outside the penalty area. The ensuing restart for the Riverhounds was blocked by the Barracuda wall and cleared from danger.
With their two goals on the night, the Riverhounds raised over $5,500 to benefit the American Red Cross and the victims of Moore, Oklahoma who were deeply affected by the tornado that destroyed their community. Shallenberger Construction, 84 Lumber, Highmark, and Century United each donated $500 per goal to the American Red Cross.
The Riverhounds remain at home next Saturday night when they welcome region rival, the Rochester Rhinos to Pittsburgh. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. kick off at Highmark Stadium. The Barracuda travel to Dayton to meet the Dayton Dutch Lions on Sunday. Their game will kick off at 6:30 p.m. at Beavercreek Stadium.