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Post Match Buzz: Bob Lilley, Langston Blackstock interviews plus Twitter/X reaction to Riverhounds ‘putting stamp’ on Hartford

Photo courtesy Ed Thompson

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC didn’t hold anything back from the start of their match played before a nationally televised audience vs Hartford Athletic FC on Saturday night at Highmark Stadium.

The Hounds rolled to a 3-1 victory, thanks to a strong start that included three goals in the first 21 minutes of the match, rattling Hartford’s backline and goalkeeper Greg Monroe into some key mistakes.

The first goal came in the 4th minute of the match, from an Edward Kizza penalty conversion after Junior Etou — yet again — caused havoc in the box to draw a penalty.

Kizza ran to the Paul Child Stand as soon as he scored, and a night of celebrating more goals was just beginning.

PSN’s Griffin Floyd had the match recap, and caught quotes from the post match press conference as Riverhounds Head Coach Bob Lilley and Langston Blackstock shared their thoughts from the club’s second straight win in a four-match homestand.  Meanwhile, Ed Thompson was also there to provide images from the night.

Photo Gallery: Fueled by strong start, Riverhounds throttle Hartford Athletic for second straight win

Bob Lilley: “We can’t be scared, we can’t sit back”

After the match, Lilley held court and as usual, had plenty to share about his team’s effort.

“We started the game really strong again,” Lilley said.

“They’re a tough team to play, but we were brave. We pushed guys forward and again got a goal from a wing back (Blackstock) after getting two from Junior (Etou) last week. We impacted the game early.

“We asked them to go after them [Hartford], as pacey as they are. We can’t be scared, we can’t sit back, we’ve gotta get balls higher up the pitch,” Lilley said. “We’ve gotta take risks, we’ve gotta put our stamp on the game. We did that again.”

Lilley knows that his club still has a lot of work to do, starting next Saturday when they face an upstart Loudoun United squad, which is five points ahead of them in seventh place.

“Hopefully we can bring Loudoun closer to us next week,” Lilley said.

“Loudoun’s quite good, so we’ll need the support of the crowd, and if they are giving us that support we have to bring energy. We’ve done that pretty well the last three weeks.”

Langston Blackstock: “I was over the moon”

Langston Blackstock scored the first goal of his USL Championship career and boy was it a beauty. The 24-year-old forward hovered near the goal line as he lifted a sharp angle shot from the left side, hooking around Monroe to double the lead.

One minute and a half after Blackstock’s goal, 21-year old EJ Johnson, who has started thrive in a starting role in recent weeks, pushed his high pressing effort into the goal box, inexplicably blocking Monroe’s clearance attempt, and deflecting it in for the Hounds third goal.

“EJ is a guy that we’re always on, just keeping him working hard and pressing, because he has the physical attributes and a lot of flair,” Blackstock said.

“So, we were happy for him to get his first one and we’re hoping he gets some more. He does a lot for the team. He’s always making runs behind the defenders.”

Twitter / X Reaction To Riverhounds Win vs Hartford

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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).

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