Bethel Park, Pa.(8-22) The Pittsburgh Riverhounds hosted Virginia Beach for the only time this season last nite, in a matchup that was equally important for both sides. When it was over, the 'hounds ended up on the short end of a 4-3 score, before 2,028 at Bethel Park H.S. Stadium-their third largest crowd this year.
The Mariners began the scoring in the 7th minute, after the hounds missed some good chances earlier. Goalkeeper Randy Dedini had collected the ball in the box but did not have control. Jakub Fenger was challening and converted on the loose ball, finding the right side of the cage. It was ruled valid, even though Fenger ran into Dedini before the goal, but nothing was called.
That was just the beginning.
There was no further scoring in that half, even though the hounds did have more chances but could not find the target. Virginia Beach cageminder Matt Nelson was very impressive while taking the place of Joe Larson.
In the second half the Mariners continued to pour it on as Roland Aguilera score his first of two, beating Dedini to the left corner from Kevin Knott in the 68th, the first of three goals in six minutes, for Virginia Beach.
Aguilera converted on an unassissted score three minutes later when he dribbled across the goal within the box, then drilled a shot inside the right post from about 15.
Former Columbus Crew Dante Washington then made it 4-0 when he found the left corner from about 10 yards from near the corner of the box, off an assist from Roy Lassiter.
But the hounds finally scored a minute later when David Flavius beat Nelson, who had been invincible, from Joey Worthen to give the hounds life.
In the 82nd, A-League scoring leader Thiago Martins added to his total with an unassissted goal, before Justin Evans finished the scoring in stoppage time from Flavius.
Before the come-back, however, both teams had players ejected, Gary DePalma and Hamisi Dove-Amani for starting a brief melee in the 66th, which began when DePalma was preparing for a free kick, but Amani kicked the ball out of place, which DePalma took exception to before the teams got involved.
The hounds went down a man in the 80th when Michael Green was sent off for a violent tackle. Many of the hounds felt a yellow card would have been enuff.
After the match, both teams left the field to a chorus of booing, which was directed at the officials.
The hounds finish up on Sunday vs. Syracuse. They need a win by Richmond in Rochester to remain alive.
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