Pittsburgh Riverhounds News Release -- www.riverhounds.com
Friday, June 17, 2011
EDINBORO, Pa. -- The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (2-8-3) fell to the Rochester Rhinos (6-4-3) on Friday night at Sox Harrison Stadium as Richie Costanzo, Andrew Hoxie and Drew Cost all scored in the first half to lift the Rhinos past the Riverhounds and extend their lead at the top of the USL PRO National Division.
The first scoring opportunity of the game came to the Riverhounds in the third minute of play off a long throw from midfielder Mike Seth which traveled over the Rhinos defense and found the head of Jason Yeisley at the six-yard box. Yeisley rose above his mark and headed the ball on frame, but Rhinos goalkeeper Neel Kitson was in good position to make the save.
The Rhinos then took the lead in the ninth minute after a spell of good possession and pressure in the Riverhounds half. Costanzo was able to collect an attempted clearance by the Riverhounds at the corner of the penalty area and cut the ball inside, giving himself time to strike a right-footed shot to the near post past Hunter Gilstrap.
The Rhinos would record their second goal just eight minutes later from Hoxie. Sitting in the pocket between the midfield and defense, Hoxie turned and blistered a shot from 35 yards into the top right corner of the goal.
Cost would provide the Rhinos with their third goal just before the break. A pinball-like possession inside the Riverhounds penalty area ended with the ball landing at Cost’s feet at the top of the box and the midfielder picked out his corner and confidently bent a shot into the top left corner of the goal.
The Riverhounds will now travel to play in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday night as they face the Richmond Kickers at City Stadium. The Rhinos will also try to advance into the Open Cup third round as they travel to meet the Harrisburg City Islanders on Tuesday night at the Skyline Sports Complex on City Island.