PDL Game Report
Friday, June 27, 2014
WATERLOO, Ont. -- K-W United FC made a statement on Friday night as they defeated the Pittsburgh Riverhounds U23 3-1 at University Stadium. In their last meeting against Pittsburgh, which was also their last home game, K-W got away with a 2-1 win and were certain not to do that again. With a season-high 20 shots and 13 shots in the first half, K-W got first-half goals by Stefan Vukovic and Jarek Whiteman to take control of the game early and claim all three points.
"It's a tough team to play against, Pittsburgh. In this league, anyone can beat anyone and they draw you in," head coach Stuart Neely said. "I'm happy with the boys and we came away with three points."
In the first, K-W came out flying. Nine minutes in, Vukovic sent a shot flying past Pittsburgh keeper Albert Civitarese to put United ahead.
The shots kept coming at Civitarese, and United put on the pressure. K-W's back for allowed two shots the entire first half against keeper Nathan Ingham. In the 24th minute, Jeff Addai fed Vukovic, who sent a brilliant pass to Whiteman, and he made no mistake as he beat Civitarese for a 2-0 lead.
In the second half, United had a few defensive lapses. Pittsburgh began to put on the pressure and became a regular presence in the attacking third. In the 63rd minute, Ingham misplayed a ball back to him and the Riverhounds' Bruce Cullen retrieved the loose ball to cut the lead in half.
But United wasn't giving up its home advantage, and Paris Bateman scored his first of the season on a strike from the 18-yard line to put K-W ahead 3-1.
With the Michigan Bucks losing to the Chicago Fire, K-W now joins the three-way race for first place in the Great Lakes Division. K-W will play the Fire on Sunday for a potential shot at first place, with a game in hand.
"Tonight was good, we're still making the same mistakes so we need to correct that. But the players are realizing that they are becoming quite the tight family. That's important for the club and that's important for the boys," Neely said.