PITTSBURGH (October 20, 2018) – In the first-ever playoff match at Highmark Stadium, No. 3 seed Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC lost to No. 6 seed Bethlehem Steel FC, 2-2 (8-7 penalties), on Saturday at Highmark Stadium.
Hugh Roberts scored a goal for the Hounds in the 105th minute of play, and Ben Zemanski also broke onto the scoresheet with a tally in the 25th minute. The match marked a record attendance for the Hounds, as 5,189 fans packed into Highmark Stadium.
How It Happened
Tied at 2-2, the game was decided in the eighth round of penalties.
The game-winning penalty came off the foot of Bethlehem’s Oliver Mbaizo, as Ray Lee’s subsequent attempt was pushed wide left of the net.
One year after playing for Bethlehem Steel FC, Hugh Roberts seemingly scored the goal that would eliminate Bethlehem Steel FC.
During the 105th minute of extra time, the center back crashed the goalmouth, as a loose ball freely caromed in the area. Roberts charged the sphere and headed it into the twine for what appeared to be the eventual game-winning goal.
However, Steel FC would go on to tie the match in the 109th minute with help from its captain. Taking a free kick from the top of the 18-yard box, James Chambers booted a ball into the net to tie the score at 2-2.
Joe Holland was issued a red card in the 119th minute after he collided with Bethlehem goalkeeper Jake McGuire inside of the penalty area while on the break, and the Hounds played a man down until the end of the second period of extra time.
In the second half, Bethlehem used fast break opportunities to its advantage – one of which led to its first goal of the match.
As they sprinted into the Hounds’ defensive third, Chris Nanco hit Santi Moar with a pass. Moar then sent a ball in close to the Pittsburgh goalmouth and Michee Ngalina knocked it in with his left foot, tying the score at 1-1 in the 70th minute.
Pittsburgh had two shots on goal in the second half, both coming off the feet of Romeo Parkes. However, neither of his chances could beat McGuire.
Halfway through the first half, Roberts sent a header off the crossbar, and it was a prophecy of things to come.
In the 25th minute, Neco Brett sent a cross into the center of the penalty box targeted for Ben Zemanski. The midfielder took to the sky and headed the ball with force into the right side of the net to provide the Hounds with a 1-0 advantage.
Bethlehem had one shot on target in the first half, also being the first shot of the match. The take came off the foot of Moar from outside of the penalty area, and Pittsburgh goalkeeper Dan Lynd easily handled the chance.
Man of the Match
Ben Zemanski scored the first goal of the game and led the Hounds with five key passes.
Stat of the Game
This is the first-ever playoff game that Pittsburgh had that went into penalties.
Beyond the Box Score
- Striker Romeo Parkes led the team with five shots.
- Defender Jordan Dover led the team with six tackles and four interceptions.
- Pittsburgh bested Bethlehem in total shots, 19-10.
- Defensively, Joe Greenspan led the club with 14 clearances.
Lineups:
Riverhounds SC – Dan Lynd – Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Joe Greenspan, Hugh Roberts, Jordan Dover (Kevin Kerr 118’) – Mouhamed Dabo, Kenardo Forbes – Romeo Parkes (Joe Holland 96’), Ben Zemanski (Ray Lee 105’), Christiano François – Neco Brett (Kay Banjo 105’)
Subs not used: Mike Kirk, Tobi Adewole, Todd Pratzner
Bethlehem Steel FC – Jake McGuire – Matthew Real, Ben Ofeimu, Matthew Mahoney, Olivier Mbaizo – James Chambers, Anthony Fontana (Drew Skundrich 62’) – Santi Moar, Brenden Aaronson (Omar Holness 100’), Michee Ngalina – Faris Pemi Moumbagna (Chris Nanco 55’)
Subs not used: Tomas Romero, Aidan Apodaca, Brandon Aubrey, A.J. Paterson
Penalty Kicks Summary:
BST – James Chambers (goal)
PGH – Kevin Kerr (goal)
BST – Chris Nanco (goal)
PGH – Kenardo Forbes (goal)
BST – Omar Holness (goal)
PGH – Kay Banjo (goal)
BST – Santi Moar (goal)
PGH – Joe Greenspan (goal)
BST – Drew Skundrich (goal)
PGH – Christiano François (goal)
BST – Matthew Mahoney (goal)
PGH – Thomas Vancaeyezeele (goal)
BST – Matthew Real (goal)
PGH – Mouhamed Dabo (goal)
BST – Oliver Mbaizo (goal)
PGH – Ray Lee (miss – attempt off target)
Scoring Summary:
PGH – Ben Zemanski 25’ (Neco Brett)
BST – Michee Ngalina 70’ (Santi Moar)
PGH – Hugh Roberts 105’
BST – James Chambers 109’
Misconduct Summary:
BST – Faris Pemi Moumbagna 45’ (caution)
PGH – Jordan Dover 86’ (caution)
PGH – Hugh Roberts 109’ (caution)
BST – Chris Nanco 111’ (caution)
PGH – Kenardo Forbes 113’ (caution)
PGH – Joe Holland 119’ (ejection)
Quote Sheet
Head coach Bob Lilley
On the game…
“I think both teams did a really good job on the penalties. Both teams deserve credit for holding their nerve there. Someone was going to miss at some point, and unfortunately it was us.”
On Joe Holland’s extra time red card…
“I think it’s harsh to put a red there. Guys are going to go for that ball. We would have had Joe Holland score a penalty, but we made a lot of penalties.”
On the record crowd…
“It would’ve been nice to give them a great victory tonight. They were awesome. They were fantastic. I hope they believe in what we’re doing, and we see more crowds like this.”
Defender Hugh Roberts
On getting a lead in extra time…
“It felt awesome to get a lead in overtime. You’re thinking maybe you can hold onto the victory and stuff.”
On moving to a five-man backline…
“We went to five in the back. Usually when we have a lead, we go to five in the back. We played five in the back all year, so we were feeling very confident.”
On the team’s progress…
“We’ve made tremendous strides. To even lock up a home field advantage, to be top three to where this team has been over the years, it’s been tremendous for us, for this crowd, this atmosphere and for everybody.”
