Cincinnati came out firing on all cylinders in this A-league match. Pittsburgh came into Cincinnati after a 2-0 loss to Rochester the night before. The Hawks hungry after a weeks rest from last weeks 3-0 loss to Minnesota went right at the Hounds with a vicious attack.
The Hawks using the midfield to start their attacks through the use of Lucas were threatening on goal. Also threatening were storm clouds out to the west that were making their way to the pitch. At the 16 minute mark the storm hit delaying play for 50 minutes due to lightning.
After the delay, the Hawks came out and hit hard scoring a goal in the 19th minute and putting the Hawks up 1-0. Simon Lowey created the opportunity with a cross to the center where Ryan Lucas finished it off. With the field wet and making the play sloppy the referee blew several fouls to try and gain some control and settle the players down. The rest of the 1st half was played in very hard fashion by the players. The Hounds struggling to gain form in the league were here trying to prove something and the Hawks are a team wanting to prove something as well made for the hard play. The 1st half ended at 1-0 to the Hawks.
The 2nd half began with the Hounds substituting their two forwards bringing in Flavius and Houser trying to jump-start things. Both teams made drive at goals and play was quite even. Free kicks were becoming a common sight in this half with the number of fouls being called. After Cincinnati made a substitution the Hounds took advantage of it with Worthen assisting the goal by Flavius. It was a great goal it seemed to provide a much needed spark for Pittsburgh. However, Cincinnati came right back and hit the Hounds with a punch that sent them reeling. Byarunhaga finished off a fine dribble with a shot that could be heard over on Interstate 75 putting the Hawks back up 2-1. The Hounds frustrated at this point started making mistakes and the Hawks were taking advantage of the fact. Pittsburgh continued to try and score off of several freekicks and without the FANTASTIC goalkeeping of Chris Wanamaker a couple of goals would have go! ne in. With 3 minutes of added time at the end of the game Cincinnati again took advantage of a mental lapse by the Hounds to go up 3-1. Endozien crossed to Byarunhanga and he slotted home the goal to give the Hawks the much needed 5 points to put them into 2nd place in the Central Division of the Western Conference just 1 point behind Minnesota but 3 games in hand.
LINEUPS
Cincinnati Pittsburgh
GK 1 C Wanamaker GK 23 T Hannig
D 3 F Degand D 2 T Sayhaydak
D 19 J Mercik D 5 R Iribarren
D 14 J Pickup D 12 M Green
M 15 S Rockey D 14 M Chulis (4 G Depalma, 67')
M 2 B Meyer (21 B Fisher, 82') M 21 D Potteiger
M 6 D Alvarez (16 R Roettker, 70') M 20 J Tripoli (7 H Gutierrez, 60')
M 7 S Lowey (C Endozien. 75') M 11 B Johnson
M 20 D Gruffydd (11 C Lindenmayer, 60') M 16 K Alvero (6 J Worthen. 59')
F 5 P Byaruhanga F 2 P Karn (9 J Houser, 45')
F 9 R Lucas (10 M Matis, 71') F 10 M Apple (13 D Flavius, 45')
STATS
Cincinnati Pittsburgh
Shots 15 24
Saves 6 10
Offside 7 5
Corner Kicks 2 6
Fouls 22 16
CAUTIONS and EJECTIONS
Cincinnati - Rockey 20' (Caution)
Pittsburgh - Sahaydak 21' (Caution)
Cincinnati - Lowey 61' (Caution)
Cincinnati - Lindenmayer 90' (Caution)
Pittsburgh - Depalma 90' (Caution)
GOALS
Cincinnati - Lucas (Lowey-Assist) 19'
Pittsburgh - Flavius (Worthen-Assist) 70'
Cincinnati - Byarunhaga 72'
Cincinnati - Byarunhaga (Edozien-Assist) 90'
Mike Senger
A-League.com match reporter
