PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds have thrown themselves right back in to playoff contention as they managed a 3-2 win over Bethlehem Steel FC at Highmark Stadium on Saturday night. Ten minutes into the match the Riverhounds opened the scoring after some good work on the wing allowed captain Kevin Kerr to cross in for forward Corey Hertzog, who scored with a simple header across the face of goal. With his 10th goal of the season, Hertzog made it two straight seasons with a double-digit goal tally. Bethlehem failed to clear a corner in the 19th minute which allowed Kerr to notch up his second assist of the night, laying it back for defender Jamal Jack, whose shot took a wicked deflection on the way in to the back of the net. Bethlehem was handed a lifeline in the 42nd minute as Cory Burke put away a penalty after a foul on Santi Moar. After Pittsburgh dominated much of the second half, Burke stunned Pittsburgh as Moar found him with space, allowing the Jamaican international to counter well and bury his shot. Pittsburgh quickly recovered and just three minutes later they were back in front as Chevaughn Walsh’s shot bounced off the post, and Bethlehem failed to clear, allowing Kerr to slide in and bundle it over the line for what proved to be the game-winner.

Scoring:
10’ – PGH – Corey Hertzog (Kevin Kerr)
19’ – PGH – Jamal Jack (Kevin Kerr)
42’ – BST – Cory Burke (Penalty)
72’ – BST – Cory Burke (Santi Moar)
75’ – PGH – Kevin Kerr

#PGHvBST: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds had plenty of opportunities in the match, with 19 shots, nine of them on target but it could have been much better for them if they stopped straying offside. Corey Hertzog was a regular victim of the offside flag, with four offsides in the match, an issue which seemed to recover in the second half.

• 2. It has been a difficult season at home for the Riverhounds, but with a win they have given themselves hope heading into the closing stages of the season. This win is the fourth home win for Pittsburgh this season, coming at a much needed time with four of their last seven matches at Highmark Stadium

• 3. The loss is the third straight loss for Bethlehem Steel FC, a run which has taken Steel FC from a comfortable place in the playoffs to right in the mix. Bethlehem now sit in eighth place, level on points with Pittsburgh in ninth.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Kevin Kerr, Pittsburgh Riverhounds – Kevin Kerr provided the assists on the two Riverhounds goals in the first 20 minutes, before scoring the winner himself, as part of an impressive performance in midfield from the Riverhounds captain. Kerr created five opportunities and made 37 passes as he controlled the midfield.

Upcoming Games:
Pittsburgh Riverhounds at FC Cincinnati – September 2, 4:00p.m. ET, Nippert Stadium
Bethlehem Steel at Orlando City B – August 31, 7:30p.m. ET, Orlando City Stadium