Two for Two: Daniel Firek and Michael Lee Strike as Hounds 2 lock down second straight clean sheet

USL League Two – Great Forest Division 

FINAL: Riverhounds Two 2, Erie Sports Center 0

USL League Two Match Center 

In their second match of the season, Riverhounds Two hosted Erie Sports Center at F.N.B. Stadium on Thursday night.

It was the season opener for the visitors, Hounds 2 solidified its spot at the top of the early standings, thanks to a first half goal from Daniel Firek and a second half penalty conversion from Michael Lee, while goalkeepers Jack Moxom recorded his second clean sheet.

“I think we held strong. We obviously found the goal, and maybe that opened up the game for us,” Riverhounds 2 Head Coach Josh Kremers said.

“We’re looking forward to keep getting better and better.”

How It Happened

Hounds 2 sported their primary black kits with yellow lettering, while Erie countered with the opposite look—yellow jerseys with black lettering on a cloudy, cool night on the South Side of Pittsburgh.

The match proved to be a feeling-out process at first, featuring strong ball movement from both squads. Hounds 2 managed possession well and generated multiple scoring chances, finally cashing in when Daniel Firek (New Hampshire) hit a low shot from distance in the 24th minute that beat the keeper. Following an opening match where Hounds 2 piled on three first-half goals against Cleveland, this time out they took a tighter, one-goal lead into the locker room.

Looking to double the advantage immediately at the start of the second half, the Hounds earned an early penalty kick. Sunday’s hat-trick hero, Israel Neto, stepped up to the spot, but his effort rattled off the crossbar, and the subsequent rebound attempt trickled wide right.

As the Hounds protected their narrow lead, possession swung back and forth. The hosts generated more quality chances inside the box, but Erie’s defense converged on the ball time and again to close down the shooting lanes. Forward Bennett Painter nearly found his second goal in as many matches, but the Indiana standout saw his shot bounce hard off the wood.

Hounds 2 looked to inject some energy into the pitch, bringing on three substitutes in the 70th minute to help maintain the tempo and push for a cushion. The best chance immediately following the changes came when a stinging Larsen Rogers’ effort was punched away by the Erie keeper.

Moments later, extensive pressure in the box paid off again for the Black and Gold, drawing another foul and earning a second penalty kick opportunity for the second straight match. Fresh off the bench, Kentucky product Michael Lee stepped up and buried the ball into the back left corner of the net, gifting the home team a comfortable 2-0 lead in the 80th minute.

The home side held firm from there, picking up its second straight victory to start the summer campaign. Hounds 2 goalkeeper Jack Moxom (Pitt) recorded the clean sheet, his second of the young season, keeping the expansion squad a perfect 2-0-0 atop the Great Forest Division.

Lee was pleased with both his individual breakthrough and the team’s overall execution.

“I think we did a great job of controlling the game,” Lee said. “I kind of knew where I was going to go straightaway [on the PK]… getting on the scoresheet today meant a lot for me, and obviously for the team.”

Now sitting on six points, Hounds 2 will host budding local rivals and defending Great Forest Division champions Steel City FC next Wednesday at F.N.B. Stadium in the first-ever all-Pittsburgh pre-professional men’s Derby match.

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Match Timeline

First Half: *

15′ – Strong chance from the right side by #40 for Hounds 2, punched away with two hands by the Erie keeper.

• 18′ – Corner kick by Erie, cleared and defended by Hounds 2.

• 20′ – Great service into the box sets up a Pittsburgh scoring opportunity; header loops over the bar.

• 24′ – GOAL (HOUNDS 2) – Daniel Firek strikes from about 20 yards out, skipping past the diving keeper. (1-0)

• 28′ – #38 with a driven chance, blocked by the keeper; rebound hit out of bounds.

• 30′ – Throw-in for Pittsburgh, defended by Erie.

• 38′ – Quality scoring opportunity for Erie, caught cleanly with both hands by Hounds 2 keeper Jack Moxom.

Second Half: * 53′ – Penalty kick awarded to Pittsburgh; Israel Neto strikes the crossbar.

• 55′ – Erie’s Sebastian Corletto shown a Yellow Card.

• 56′ – Erie Sub: Dario Baudo replaces Sebastian Corletto.

• 61′ – Pittsburgh with a dynamic scoring chance, but the final shot veers wide left.

• 69′ – Bennett Painter creates a great opportunity, but his shot bounces off the crossbar.

• 70′ – Hounds 2 Subs: Michael Lee, Brady McGlone, and Nicholas Legendre enter the match.

• 80′ – GOAL (HOUNDS 2) – Michael Lee calmly buries a penalty kick into the back left corner. (2-0)

• 82′ – Erie Substitution.

• 85′ – Hounds 2 Substitutions.

• 89′ – Erie Substitutions.

Scoring Summary

• [24′] – [HOUNDS 2] – Daniel Firek

• [80′] – [HOUNDS 2] – Michael Lee (PK)

Discipline Summary

• [55′] – [ERIE] – Sebastian Corletto (Yellow Card)

Lineups

Riverhounds 2 Starting XI: Jack Moxom (GK); Amari Everage, Blaize Hardy, Niklas Soerensen, Larsen Rogers; Daniel Firek, Adrian Biaggi, Josh Hardin, Caleb Borneo, Israel Neto, Bennett Painter. Subs Used: Michael Lee, Brady McGlone, Nicholas Legendre, Matthew Goulding, Pablo Linzoain.

Erie Sports Center Starting XI: Riccardo Strohhecker (GK); Dunia Kambona, Angus Till, Owurakwame Anim-Somuah, Sebastian Corletto; Jo Hanamoto, Irving Dorman, Joshua Price, Karim Salome, Victor Flores, Jadon Brooks. Subs Used: Dario Baudo, Daniel Hale, Santiago Ayus, Francesco Pennacchio, John Sanchez.

Kevin Hutchinson