In their third consecutive loss, the Riverhounds [7-8-4] missed a critical opportunity to not only clinch the Keystone Derby Cup, but have failed to move up in the standings for a quest to play in the post season.
The Harrisburg City Islanders [7-6-4] were down a player after midfielder Jose Barril was charged with a misconduct penalty and gave the Hounds a one man advantage. However, the Riverhounds could not keep a 3-1 lead and would end up falling to the Islanders, 4-3.
Pittsburgh struck early as midfielder Amara Soumah was set up perfectly by Rob Vincent and Kevin Kerr to drive in a shot that would give the Hounds a quick 1-0 lead. Interestingly enough, Soumah was given the start by head coach Mark Steffens and his only goal prior to this game was also against Harrisburg earlier in the season.
15 minutes later, in the 22nd minute, Vincent converted on a penalty kick that gave Pittsburgh a commanding 2-0 lead. But not to be outdone before the half, midfielder Jason Plumhoff gave the Islanders new life as the Hounds’ defense was caught off guard and couldn’t defend in time.
Coming out of halftime with a 2-1 advantage over Harrisburg, Soumah looked to give his team another two goal lead but he was simply unable to find the net in any of his early opportunities. He would eventually be substituted out by Tyler Pasher in the 56th minute.
Not too much longer after that, in the 62nd minute, Pittsburgh would get itself another two goal lead as Shane Johnson would get the unassisted goal and help bring his team just that much closer to the Keystone Derby Cup.
A few minutes later, Barril was dismissed and Harrisburg was left with only 10 men on the field. This did not stop their tenacity and level of play. Pittsburgh seemed to play more conservatively and were caught misplaying the ball while having the man advantage.
In the 70th minute, the Islanders’ Craig Foster finished off a drive down field and gave Harrisburg a chance to draw even with the Riverhounds.
Foster would come up clutch again when in the 79th minute he found his second goal of the game as he drilled the ball in the lower half of the net giving keeper Calle Brown almost no chance.
Headed into added time and tied 3-3 the Riverhounds were looking to finish off the Islanders after seeing their lead vanish. However, Plumhoff found his second goal of the night and sent Pittsburgh packing with a tough 4-3 loss that will be hard to swallow for players and coaches alike.
Pittsburgh will play host to the Wilmington Hammerheads FC next Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at Highmark Stadium.
Photo credit: Pittsburgh Riverhounds
