The Riverhounds SC found themselves holding on to a 1-0 lead entering the final ten minutes of its match in its first-ever meeting against Swope Park Rangers at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday afternoon.
Then things got interesting.
Swope Park scored in the 83rd and 88th minutes to surge into the lead, but the Hounds bounced back in stoppage time, earning a penalty kick opportunity that first-year pro Anthony Velarde calmly converted to level the match that helped Pittsburgh (now 0-1-1) earn its first point of the season.
“I feel like we created good chances today,” Hounds head coach Bob Lilley said. “It’s never ideal to drop points from a winning position, but I think based on the team we played I think we improved this week. Hopefully if we improve again next week, we get all three points.”
Hounds goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard made three big saves in the first half.
DOIN' WORK, @Ben_Lundgaard! 💪💪💪#UNLEASH | #SPRvPIT pic.twitter.com/A7pI5RsTOp
— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) March 23, 2019
Making his professional debut, Lundgaard did what he could to keep the score even going into the half, batting a shot away from danger in the 8th minute and making a diving stop in the 30th minute.
The Hounds’ lone shot on goal in the first half came from the foot of forward Steevan Dos Santos. Swope Park goalkeeper Adrián Zendejas collected this attempt.
It was a back-and-forth second half with the Hounds striking first.
With a free kick from 20 yards from goal on the right side, Kenardo Forbes booted a ball into the box, connecting with Tobi Adewole, who put Pittsburgh up 1-0 in the 71st minute.
GO GET IT, @TobiAdewole95!#UNLEASH | #SPRvPIT pic.twitter.com/hpajhgoEk2
— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) March 23, 2019
Afterward, the Rangers potted a couple tallies to take the lead. Their first goal came off the foot of Rodney Wallace, who blasted a hard shot past Lundgaard off a rebound in the 83rd minute. Swope Park later took the lead with a goal from the right foot of Kelyn Rowe, who beat Lundgaard from the right side of the six-yard box in the 88th minute.
As the game went into its final minutes, Christian Volesky provided the Hounds with a golden opportunity, drawing a foul inside of the 18-yard box. The Hounds then turned to rookie midfielder Velarde, who posted the penalty-kick equalizer to bring the score to its final of 2-2.
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What’s Next
Riverhounds SC will stay on the road to clash with in-state rival Bethlehem Steel FC (1-1-0) at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 30 at Talen Energy Stadium. This will mark the Hounds’ first-ever trip to Talen Energy Stadium.
Lineups:
Riverhounds SC – Ben Lundgaard – Ryan James, Tobi Adewole, Joe Greenspan, Jordan Dover (Anthony Velarde 89’) – Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Mouhamed Dabo – Kenardo Forbes, Kevin Kerr (Christian Volesky 63’) – Neco Brett (Caleb Smith 75’), Steevan Dos Santos
Subs not used: Kyle Morton Noah Franke, Sammy Kahsai, Uchenna Uzo
Swope Park Rangers – Adrián Zendejas – Rodney Wallace, Mohammad Abualnadi, Graham Smith, Mark Segbers – Kelyn Rowe, Gedion Zelalem (Wan Kuzain 59’), Gianluca Busio – Tyler Freeman (Killian Colombie 68’), Wilson Harris (Ethan Vanacore-Decker75’), Jerome Ngom Mbekeli
Subs not used: Eric Dick, Alexsander Andrade, Felipe Hernandez, Camden Riley
Scoring Summary:
PIT – Tobi Adewole 71’ (Kenardo Forbes)
SPR – Rodney Wallace 83’
SPR – Kelyn Rowe 88’ (Killian Colombie)
PIT – Anthony Velarde 90’+1 (penalty)
Misconduct Summary:
PIT – Mouhamed Dabo 33’ (caution)
SPR – Killian Colom
(Photo credit: Swope Park Rangers / USL)