Late Campbell own goal gives hosts 1-0 win
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds conceded a late own goal to drop to a 1-0 loss against the University of Akron in the club’s fourth preseason game at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field Friday afternoon.
Jamaican defender Sergio Campbell had the misfortune of seeing his header elude substitute goalkeeper Mauricio Vargas with three minutes of the game remaining.
The Hounds drop to a 2-2 record against college opponents this preseason following wins over Penn State and Ohio State and last Sunday’s loss to Michigan.
Head coach Mark Steffens handed first starts for the club to English midfielder Conor Branson and Columbus Crew SC loanee Marshall Hollingsworth. The Hounds produced a solid first half performance and edged the Mid-American Conference champions in shots and shots on goal without finding the net.
Akron’s Stuart Holthusen almost broke the deadlock eight minutes into the second half when his shot thumped against Hunter Gilstrap’s goal post. The Zips kept up the pressure during the final half hour as Steffens altered his line-up to use 19 players in total.
Reigning United Soccer League champion the Rochester Rhinos comes to Pittsburgh for the United Soccer League regular season opener on April 2.
