Hounds battle back for 2-1 win at Saint Louis FC

Corey Hertzog scored a pair of goals in the second half, and goalkeeper Trey Mitchell made a key penalty kick save to help the Riverhounds battle back to a 2-1 win at Saint Louis FC on Saturday night in Fenton, Missouri.
For the Hounds, now 7-8-9, good for 30 points, and just one point back in the USL’s tightly contested Eastern Conference playoff race, it was their second consecutive win and improved their mark to 4-3-6 on the road this season. With the loss, Saint Louis FC drops to 7-10-5, now four point behind the Hounds with 26 points.
The Hounds failed to score in the first half, despite some outstanding chances and an edge in shots (7-2), as Saint Louis goalkeeper Adam Grinwis made two saves on Hertzog breakaways.  In the 34th minute, Seth Randolph capped off a fantastic build-up, receiving a back-heel pass from Christian Volesky to beat Mitchell for the game’s opening goal.
The Hounds didn’t waste any time getting into the attack in the second half, as Romeo Parkes dribbled deep into the attacking third in the 46th minute, drawing a foul 25 yards from goal. Hertzog would bury the free kick opportunity with a bending right footed shot that slid just inside the left post to give the Hounds the equalizer.

.@Hertzog_Corey goes ???? to level things at 1-1 in #STLvPGH. #HertzSoGood pic.twitter.com/xI6i1BuGck

— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) August 20, 2017

STLFC brought pressure into the final third in the 66th minute, as Mitchell was forced off his line, and committed a foul to take down Tony Walls. Then, on the penalty kick, Mitchell guessed correctly on Milan Petosevic‘s penalty take, diving to his right, and extending his left arm up to deny the shot attempt. Mitchell went down immediately in pain, holding his previously injured left shoulder. Despite the injury, Mitchell would stay in the game, battling on for the remaining 25 plus minutes.
The Hounds would get their penalty chance moments later as Hertzog was taken down by Grinwis in the 72nd minute. Hertzog made the most of his penalty chance, beating Grinwis, who guessed left, and Hertzog drilled his shot right down the middle.

The second half of #STLvPGH, brought to you by @Hertzog_Corey. #HertzSoGood pic.twitter.com/ojVUBPMydZ

— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) August 20, 2017

The Hounds return to action looking for its third straight win next Saturday, August 26, at Highmark Stadium against in-state foes, Bethlehem Steel FC (7 p.m. kickoff).