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Pgh Soccer History: Lilley’s Wildcats defeat Riverhounds, 2-1 before 12,000+ fans (Video)

Leave it up to Pittsburgh Soccer Now contributor Patrick McCarthy to dig up a gem.

McCarthy, going through his collection of old videos given to him from Riverhounds Hall of Fame inductee and soccer coaching icon John Kowalski, found the following clip (see below) of current Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC head coach Bob Lilley from 1999 when he was coaching for the Hershey Wildcats against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

In the past year, McCarthy’s been digitizing many of Kowalski’s old VHS tapes. This match was produced and broadcast by local television in Harrisburg/Hershey area, and carried on Pittsburgh cable television (currently AT&T Sport Net — Fox Sports Pittsburgh at that time).

This clip came after the Wildcats held on for 2-1 win against the Hounds before more than 12,000 fans at HersheyPark Stadium.

The teams would face each other two more times that season. And the Hounds would get the better of the series.

Pittsburgh won the rematch at Bethel Park Stadium, 2-1 in OT on June 19, 1999, and the rubber match also at Bethel Park 1-1 (2-1 in Penalty Shootout) on August 7, 1999.

The Hounds finished 16-12 in its inaugural campaign, finishing in fourth place in the Northeast Division, and qualifying for the playoffs. The Hounds would earn A-League’s Organization of the Year award. Meanwhile, Lilley’s Wildcats finished first in the Atlantic Division with a 17-11 record, and reached the Eastern Conference Finals eventually losing in a three-game series (yes — that was actually a thing back then) to another team Lilley would go on to coach, the Rochester Rhinos.

The full broadcast of the match has been uploaded to Patrick’s YouTube page…

 

VIDEO: Riverhounds first-ever game vs Cincinnati River Hawks (5-1-99)

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John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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