While still ‘figuring out the right balance’ early in preseason, Riverhounds defeat Duquesne 3-0

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC opened its home preseason slate outlasting Duquesne, 3-0, at Highmark Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Hounds, who have been looking to improve in possession this season, were in control of the ball throughout the contest, but didn’t capitalize until the end of the first half, with an opportunistic goal from newcomer Augustine Williams.  In the second half, two trialists added goals to complete the scoring, with veteran midfielder Robbie Mertz assisting on the second goal.

“We’re in the process of figuring out the right kind of balance,” Rob Vincent, Riverhounds SC Assistant Coach, said after the match.

“With a little bid of change of formation.  There’s a lot of quality on the ball right now. It’s still the early days.  We still have guys trying to find their footing.  But, we’re happy with where we’ve come along.”

Most of the first 40 minutes saw the Hounds in control, but little to show for it.

In the 24th minute, Aidan O’Toole also came close to opening the scoring, playing through a hold that might have yielded a penalty kick, but instead the second-year Hounds player got a shot away from 12 yards and forced a save by Dukes goalie Sam Coss.

There were also stretches in the first half where the Hounds were unable to connect passes in the final third, trying to work around the edges, settling mainly for set piece opportunities which failed to materialize, while they also brought a high press that Duquesne’s back line handled despite some nervous moments.

Late in the first half, new addition Augustine Williams took advantage of a loose ball in the box, pouncing on a second-effort chance to give the Hounds’ a 1-0 lead.

It was another newcomer, rookie Charles Ahl, who fired a low shot from inside the box that was saved by Coss that led to the rebound opportunity for Williams.

(Photos by Ed Thompson | 2/8/2025) 

 

Only moments after the second half kickoff, with the Hounds bringing on a full slew of new subs led by captain Danny Griffin, veteran Robbie Mertz and Junior Etou, they doubled the lead.

It was in the 47th minute when Mertz had time to deliver a cross from the left endline, which found its target in one of the non-roster players (#18), who turned the ball home to double the lead.

The afternoon ended with an 87th-minute strike from distance, as a second of the team’s trialists was able to pick out the left side of the net with a shot taken 25 yards from goal.

Despite the score line, the Dukes, coming off a season where they were Nationally Ranked at one point but have a makeshift roster (as all college teams do this time of year), defended resolutely while not sitting back entirely and ultimately succumbed to some ‘early Spring mistakes’.

“They moved the ball around really well,” Brooks said of the Hounds.

“We give up a goal at the very end of the first half and give up a goal beginning of the second half, so it’s a little bit of a different game if we don’t have those breakdowns, but I think there’s positives to build on. Happy with the guys’ energy. We’ll have to be a little bit better on the ball. Build confidence on the ball, and go from there.”

After notching an assist in his second minute of action, then going down briefly with a knock, but getting back up to finish the half, Mertz walked away from the scrimmage feeling pretty positive as he met with the media in the hallway by the Highmark Stadium pub, as a hard downpour drove everyone off the field in a hurry immediately following the match.

“Thus far, it’s been promising, Mertz added of the team’s first two weeks of preseason.

“It obviously needs to improve.  We know that the quality of the opponent will get better.  There are a lot of talent in the locker room, from the guys who’ve come on trial and the guys who are returning are applying themselves.  For right now, we’re in a good spot.”

Post Match Interviews (Robbie Mertz & Assistant Coach Rob Vincent plus Duquesne HC Chase Brooks)

Hounds Lineups

Starting XI

• GK – Trialist
• #3 D – Trialist
• D – Sean Suber
• D – Max Broughton (CB)
• D – #19 – Trialist  (RB)
• MF- Aiden O’Toole
• MF – Bradley Sample
• MF – Jackson Walti
• #6 MF – Trialist
• Bertin Jacquesson
• Augustine Williams

2nd Half Subs

• #29 – D – Trialist
• #13 – D – Trialist
• #17 – D – Trialist
• MF – Junior Etou
• MF – Robbie Mertz
• #4 – MF – Trialist
• MF – Danny Griffin
• #11 – MF – Trialist
• #26 – MF – Trialist
• #18 – F – Trialist

Duquesne’s Lineups

Starting XI

• GK – Sam Coss
• D- #3 Blaize Hardy
• D- #2  Sergios Feneridis
• D- #15  ??
• D- #4  Ofek Sasson
• MF- #8 Bendix Bennetzen
• MF- #6 Grant McIntosh
• MF- #23   Ashwin Menon
• AMF- #17  Jaxon Ervin
• AMF- #7   ??
• F- #20  Miles Imparto (IU transfer)

First Half Subs:

• 26 Pepo Bravo
• 19 Marko Rasmussen
• 16  Ashton Jell

Second Half Subs:

• D – #5 – Sam Bennett
• D – #24 – Daman Sangha
• MF – #30 – Mikey Morales
• MF – #32 – Luke Fiscus
• MF – #35 – Dan Banks
• F – #18 – Johnny Dragisich

 

Riverhounds SC vs Duquesne Photo Gallery

(photos by Ed Thompson)