The Riverhounds playoff hopes took a serious blow on Sunday, as Bethlehem Steel FC scored three first half goals, and held on for 3-2 victory at Goodman Stadium at Lehigh University.
Steel FC didn’t waste any time picking apart the Hounds back line, with goals by Adam Najem and Corey Burke in the first eight minutes, as Santi Moar assisted on both goals from the left side beating outside back Shannon Gomez both times.
Burke added a blazing strike from distance in the 38th minute to give Steel FC what appeared to be a commanding 3-0 lead.
HIGHLIGHTS: #BSTvPGH@BSteelFC holds off @PghRiverhounds & move into #USLPlayoffs places! Relive big moments here!https://t.co/OBLl28vioX pic.twitter.com/kJYZIDPaMl
— USL (@USL) September 24, 2017
The Hounds would battle back, as Hertzog was fouled in the box a minute after Burke’s second goal, and he finished his penalty opportunity with a shot in the middle of goal, beating keeper Jake McGuire who guessed to his left.
The Hounds would made a valiant effort to push to cut the deficit, and in the 58th minute, Chevy Walsh pressured Steel FC defender Hugh Roberts to poke the ball away, and find Hertzog, who scored his 13th goal of the season to cut the lead to 3-2.
The Hounds, now 8-10-11, with 35 points, continue to trail in the race for the eighth and last playoff spot by three points, as they couldn’t find the equalizer in a match where they were out shot 18-9, but shots on target were deadlocked, 4-4.