Edward P. Dittmer (Hershey, PA)
It was a long night for the referee. Even longer for Pittsburgh, however. Even though the official would have to show 7 yellow cards in the course of the evening, he also took time out to deliver two goals to Hershey. The first came on a controversial call, as former Hershey keeper Doug Petras appeared to save a shot from Greg Simmonds. However, the man in the middle ruled that the ball had crossed the line and awarded a goal to Simmonds. The second would be less controversial, but equally frustrating to Pittsburgh, as Hershey was awarded a penalty for a takedown of Cesi Colasante in the box. Greg Simmonds converted the spot kick for a 2-0 lead, as Hershey earned a split with the Riverhounds in their back to back matches.
Both teams held nothing back in the early stages of the game despite having only played the night before. Hershey came out aggressively at the beginning and created a chance in the 3rd minute as Ze Roberto crossed into the box towards an open Greg Simmonds, whose header missed wide but floated into Mitchell's path. But he also headed wide as Hershey continued a run of poor finishing.
By the 8th minute, both teams were allowing their tensions to boil over. Phil Karn pulled down Mike Henning, who was attempting to clear. After some pushing and shoving, Karn received a lecture from the official and was fortunate not to receive a card as he made contact with the ref while pleading his case.
The rough play continued in the 20th minute as Bobby Meyer went into the book for an unnecessary takedown of Ze Roberto while both were scrambling for the ball. Mike Williams for Hershey was lucky that the referee missed his retaliation kick on Goran Vasic five minutes later.
However, it would be in the 29th minute when the referee would make his mark on the game. Steve Klein took an excellent through ball from Colasante and fired off the inside of the post. Simmonds was right there for the rebound and tried to chip over Petras. Petras deflected the ball into the cross bar and caught the ball as he fell backwards. After a few seconds, Simmonds began celebrating and then the referee indicated to the stunned Riverhounds bench that the ball crossed the line for a goal. (Note: It appeared from my perspective that Petras had saved. My angle was such, however, that I cannot say whether it crossed the line or not).
After yellow cards to Feniger and Simmonds for rough tackling, the referee would make it up to Hershey by awarding a penalty to the Wildcats in the 45th. Simmonds flicked the ball on to Colasante, who worked the ball very well, getting inside the box. But he was taken down, and the referee wasted no time in pointing to the spot. Even the penalty could not be taken without a card going out. Colasante lined up to take the kick, but instead made to aborted attempts and stopped to possibly complain that Petras was moving forward. Petras complained that Colasante was wasting time as the end of the first half drew near. Both received cards for their trouble. Finally, Simmonds stepped up and slotted the ball past Petras for his second goal of the evening and 10th on the season.
While Hershey would go into the locker room with a lead in goals, David Flavius would make sure that both sides were even on bookings. In stoppage time, he made a sloppy tackle on Ze Roberto, which set off another round of pushing and shoving. Flavius would receive a card, and the diminutive Ze Roberto could be seen wisely trying to pull Greg Simmonds out of an altercation with another player. Already with one card, Simmonds could ill-afford to receive a second and possibly turn the tide Pittsburgh's way.
With two goals in hand and a fatigued side, Bob Lilley played it safe in the second half by playing back to defend the lead and forgoing the opportunity for a bonus point. Pittsburgh controlled the ball almost entirely throughout the second half.
The Hershey defense rallied and prevented Pittsburgh from getting on the board. Karn would shoot wide in the 53rd and the 60th minutes. But their best chance on goal would come in the 79th minute as Ballenger headed low and towards the far post. Backup keeper Mike O'Connor was up to the challenge and just got his hand out to deflect the ball wide.
Hershey had no pretensions of scoring a third goal as Mitchell and Simmonds were both gone by the 82nd with Butler taking up the role of lone striker. Pittsburgh relentlessly attacked the Hershey goal but fatigue had clearly set in and they would not be able to break the Hershey defense.
Pittsburgh: Petras, Bonseu, Wright, Meyer, Jones, Vasic, Evans, Eller, DePalma, Flavius, Karn
Hershey: O'Connor, Feniger, Williams, Henning. Mitchell, Ze Roberto, Colasante, Simmonds, Marinos, Klein, Swords
