Pittsburgh Riverhounds (6-8-1, 27 pts.) continue their undefeated home record and gain a bonus point in an important game against Atlantic division rivals, the Hershey Wildcats (7-8-2, 34 pts.). Although the Wildcats outshot the Hounds 14-9, Pittsburgh came up with the 3-1 victory in the first of back-to-back games for the two teams. Both teams will travel to Hershey tomorrow night for a face-off game at Hersheypark Stadium.
Within the first minute of the game, Hershey took three fast shots on goal. Pittsburgh Riverhounds goalkeeper Randy Dedini saved each one, keeping the game scoreless. Riverhounds forward Phil Karn came up with a goal late in the first half to put the Hounds up 1-0. The assist was awarded to Gary DePalma for his throw in to Karn coming off a side-out in the 39th minute.
The offensive team of DePalma and Karn scored a second goal in the 49th minute. Off a pass from DePalma, Karn kicked the ball past Wildcats goalkeeper Richard Sletvold, making the score 2-0. Wildcats’ midfielder Ze Roberto fought back against his team’s two goal deficit in the 81st minute with an exciting goal. Wildcats forward Greg Simmonds headed the ball, which was deflected by HOUNDS™ goalkeeper Randy Dedini, but Roberto came in and nailed the rebound for the Wildcats only goal.
Just into the four-minutes of injury time, HOUNDS™ John Jones threw in a long pass to Joenal Castma. Castma and Phil Karn headed down field for a two-on-one match up against a lone Wildcat defender. Castma passed the ball to Karn who sealed a hat-trick making the score 3-1.
Head Coach John Kowalski commented on the game and the outlook for the second half of the season. “We fully expect to make the playoffs, but we have to start winning on the road and continue winning at home,” he said.
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