Riverhounds slip to WVU, 2-0, in preseason encounter

Photo courtesy WVU Men's Soccer (X)

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC slipped to a 2-0 defeat to West Virginia University’s men’s squad on Sunday, at Highmark Stadium, in a preseason friendly.

After a scoreless first half, the Mountaineers took the lead in the 50th minute, off the foot of Marcus Caldeira then fell behind by two goals following a deflection from a free kick.

Down go the Riverhounds!!

The Mountaineers defeat the reigning USL Championship Players’ Shield winners, 2-0!#HailWV pic.twitter.com/YwM3eUKZRC

— WVU Men's Soccer (@WVUMensSoccer) February 18, 2024

The Hounds (1-1-1) and Mountaineers battled through a scoreless first half that began with the Hounds controlling much of the territorial edge.

West Virginia, semifinalists in the NCAA College Cup last December, built into the game and created chances by pressing the Hounds’ back line, the best of which was a half-volley effort by Marcus Caldeira, a MLS SuperDraft selection (Minnesota United FC), that was bested by a diving save by new Hounds goalkeeper Eric Dick. The Hounds continued to press forward, but clear-cut chances were scarce for both teams in the first 45 minutes.

After a handful of substitutions for the Hounds to start the second half, West Virginia got on the board in the 49th minute. Caldeira, a rising junior who elected to return to WVU this Spring, was played into the right side of the penalty area and had space to shoot, beating the goalkeeper with a shot into the top right corner of the net.

The second Mountaineers goal came as a result of a fortuitous bounce in the 79th minute. Ethan Dekel Daks was credited with the goal when his free kick struck the Hounds’ wall and bounced the opposite direction from the goalkeeper and into the net.

The Hounds will continue preparations for the upcoming USL Championship season with their final home preseason match this Saturday, Feb. 24, when they will host the University of Pittsburgh at 4 p.m. at Highmark Stadium. The preseason will conclude with the Hounds making a trip to face Eastern Conference rival Louisville City FC in a match that was moved this week to March 1 at 1 p.m.

Scoring summary

WVU — Marcus Caldeira 49′
WVU — Ethan Dekel Daks 79′

Look for more reaction to come from Hounds training this week, as PSN will continue to provide ongoing preseason coverage.