The Pittsburgh Riverhounds secured their first road victory of the season with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Rhode Island, earning a much-needed three points. From the outset, Rhode Island’s attacking intent was evident—a relentless early barrage that saw Clay Holstad testing Hounds goalkeeper Eric Dick, who stood strong to keep the scoreline intact early on. Even as the visitors pressed, Pittsburgh capitalized on swift counterattacks. Midfielder Robbie Mertz’s 20-yard strike, though not ultimately decisive, added an early spark to the Hounds’ efforts.
The turning point came in the 37th minute. Captain Danny Griffin was perfectly positioned to take advantage of a defensive lapse after a cleared corner. With a single, well-placed touch, Griffin sent the ball past the Rhode Island keeper to give Pittsburgh a vital 1-0 lead heading into halftime. Despite the early lead, the second half maintained the same intensity. Rhode Island’s Frank Nodarse nearly found the net early on, and forward Bertin Jacquesson had his chance when his shot forcefully hit the left post, but the visitors’ resolve would not be broken.
As the game wore on, Pittsburgh’s tactical discipline came to the fore. The Hounds leaned on a compact defensive structure to absorb wave after wave of Rhode Island pressure. In a dramatic moment late in the match, Eric Dick produced a crucial save in the 86th minute, denying a well-aimed shot from a long cross delivered to Jojea Kwizera. Then, in stoppage time, midfielder Charles Ahl found a carving chance from the box, only for Rhode Island’s Grant Stoneman to clear the effort off the line, ensuring that the one-goal margin held firm until the final whistle.
Even though the Hounds were outshot and had less possession, they made the most of their chances and showed resilience under pressure. With the rematch set for next Saturday at Highmark Stadium in the USL Jägermeister Cup, they have a great opportunity to build on this momentum.
