Hounds tied closely with Rochester, 1-1

September 19, 2017 | By Rachael McKriger

Kevin Kerr is on fire for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

The midfielder – and captain – recorded his second goal in the last month against the Rochester Rhinos on Saturday.

The goal was the lone tally for the Riverhounds, who struck first in the 71’ minute. Kerr’s goal was assisted by Kay Banjo, who appeared in the 67’ minute as a substitute for Chevaughn Walsh.

“It was Rochester, we weren’t going to get many chances,” Kerr said after the match. “I was quite confident I’d get one, and I thought Kay was brilliant when he came on. He’s a big, strong boy. He’s a great halfback. Just trying to get a clean strike on it and luckily it went across the goalie and in the far corner.”

However, Rochester didn’t let the Riverhounds show off and earn three points in front of their home fans at Highmark Stadium.

Instead, Joe Farrell found the back of Matt Perrella’s net in the 90’ minute. The goal was assisted by Christiano Francois.

“Some of it at this point especially against Rochester – you got a Pittsburgh/Rochester game – is just fighting and hanging in there and getting the goal and then closing it out,” Riverhounds Head Coach Dave Brandt said. “We were close – we all know it. But close doesn’t count.”

“It was a bit of a chess match. Weren’t many opportunities for either team. It was a great goal, so right at that point that would’ve been a super result for us.”

The match was dire for the Riverhounds, who are fighting for a playoff position in the USL’s Eastern Conference.

The Riverhounds sit in 10th place, holding on to 35 points. Right above them, in ninth place with 35 points, is the Bethlehem Steel FC. In eighth place, holding the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, is Orlando City B, who own 26 points.

Rochester dropped from third place to fourth place, now holding on to 43 points.

The Riverhounds will feature against Bethlehem, at Goodman Stadium, on Sunday, at 3 p.m.