On a cool rainy evening, the Riverhounds (1-1-0) win their home opener against intra-state rival, the Harrisburg City Islanders (0-1-0). Shintaro Harada connected cleanly on a flick from Chad Severs in the 48th minute to put the Hounds on top, 1-0. Harada's goal was all the Riverhounds needed to record their first victory in front of 1,004 spectators at Chartiers Valley Stadium. The first half was a battle of possession between the Riverhounds and City Islanders resulting in limited scoring opportunities for either Club. The Riverhounds' focus was to build through the midfield, while the City Islanders were playing direct soccer. With two different styles of play on the field, the action was extremely high paced and physical. After the intermission, the Riverhounds wasted little time to jump into the attack. The Hounds converted on their first offensive opportunity of the half on off a savvy flick from Severs to an on-rushing Harada. Riverhounds defender, Sterling Flunder settled a clearance from the City Islanders and served a low left-footed cross into the box for Severs. With a defender on his back, Severs flicked the ball over his mark for Harada slashing through the box. Harada confidently slid the bouncing ball past Harrisburg's goalkeeper, Chase Harrison to record the game's only goal. The City Islanders nearly equalized in the 56th minute off a weak clearance from the Riverhounds. Harrisburg's center back, Andrew Marshall delivered a diagonal ball to the Anthony Calvano all alone at the Riverhounds' back post. Calvano rose up to head the ball past Riverhounds' goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap only to be denied at the goal line by Jason Kutney. Riverhounds second half substitute, Jeremy Deighton changed the offensive pressure on the City Islanders' defense. In the 77th minute, Deighton beat Harrison on a bouncing ball, but was denied by the near post. Five minutes later fellow forward, Jason Yeisley skimmed a deep service onto the foot of Deighton only to see the crossbar deny his efforts this time. The Riverhounds return to action next weekend for a two game road trip. On Friday the Riverhounds take on the Wilmington Hammerheads (1-0-0) at Legion Stadium and then travel overnight to face the Charleston Battery (1-1-0) at Blackbaud Stadium Harrisburg will host the Rochester Rhinos (1-1-0) next Saturday at Skyline Sports Complex on City Island.
