Pittsburgh Riverhounds News Release - www.riverhounds.com

Saturday, July 26, 2008

PITTSBURGH, PA -- Every time the Pittsburgh Riverhounds scored tonight, the defending United Soccer Leagues Second Division champion Harrisburg City Islanders had an answer. That's what led to a 3-3 tie at Chartiers Valley Stadium before 1,025 fans.

Pittsburgh scored in the 7th minute when Nathan Salsi found an empty net in front of him. Harrisburg goalkeeper Danny Cepero was pulled out of goal by the USL-2 Player of the Week, Boyzzz Khumalo. Cepero expected Khumalo to strike it; instead, Boyzzz crossed it to Salsi who tapped it in.

Harrisburg came back to tie for the first time in the match in the 22nd minute when David Schofield stepped up to the right of the Riverhounds goal and wrapped a hard shot around Pittsburgh GK Zach Varga from about 10 feet away.

Pittsburgh reclaimed the lead in the 33rd minute when John Robens Jerome sent a rocket past Cepero, on a long cross from the right wing from Jason Kutney.

The half ended with the Hounds leading 2-1.

In the 49th minute, Brett Weisner charged through the middle to score unassisted as Harrisburg earned its second tie of the match, 2-2.

Pittsburgh's Khumalo combined with Jerome to provide a beautiful one-two attack as they carried the ball into the Harrisburg box. Jerome, on the right, crossed it perfectly and Khumalo finished the play, scoring his fourth goal in the last three games. But Harrisburg answered yet again when Brian Ombiji got through up the middle and lofted a shot past Varga.

Final score: Pittsburgh 3 Harrisburg 3. Each team earned a point in the standings.

Pittsburgh hosts the USL-2's first place team, the Charlotte Eagles, next Friday night (August 1st) at Chartiers Valley Stadium in Pittsburgh's South Hills.