March 16, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
PITTSBURGH – A snake-bitten night in front of goal led to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds dropping their home opener to Orange County SC, 2-0, in front of a sellout crowd of 5,125 tonight at Highmark Stadium.
Brian Iloski scored in the third minute of the match, and Cameron Dunbar added the second for Orange County (1-0-1) in the 76th minute.
The Hounds (0-2-0) outshot the visitors 12-2 in the match. They also held 67.5 percent of possession, won nine corner kicks (to none for OC), and completed more than double the number of passes of Orange County.
First half
After a pregame ceremony recognizing the Hounds for claiming the 2023 Players’ Shield, the loud Highmark crowd was stunned when Ryan Doghman got down the left side of the field and sent in a low cross that got all the way across the face of goal, where Iloski scored a tap-in goal.
Despite the early goal, the Hounds took control of possession – holding the ball for more than 76 percent of the first 15 minutes – and continued to probe for chances.
Babacar Diene forced the first save from Orange County goalkeeper Colin Shutler with a headed chance pushed out for a corner, and in first-half stoppage time, Robbie Mertz nearly scored a spectacular goal with his volley of a short Orange County clearance striking the crossbar.
Second half
Play stayed in the middle third early after the break, with a single shot by Mertz being the only one by either team until after the 70th minute.
But moments after Langston Blackstock struck a header that missed just high of the goal, Orange County quickly hit back after the restart when Christian Sorto fed a pass to Dunbar, who got space in the box and finished near the penalty spot.
The Hounds had a flurry of late chances, including another by Blackstock, who was denied by Shutler at point-blank range. An own goal nearly followed, but Orange County cleared the ball from their goal line, and Pittsburgh native Nate Dragisich, making his pro debut, missed just wide with a diving header in stoppage time.
Hounds Man of the Match
Robbie Mertz was at his creative best in the match, and he was unlucky not to come away with a goal on his well-struck volley in the first half. He also completed 42 of 51 passes in the match, won four free kicks and sent a match-high 12 crosses toward goal.
What’s next?
The Hounds hit the road once again to face Eastern Conference rival Louisville City FC. The match is…