Friday, February 14, 2025

Slide continues for Wilmington Hammerheads in midweek setback

PITTSBURGH-Corey Hertzog scored a pair of goals to lead the Pittsburgh Riverhounds to a 4-1 victory against Wilmington Hammerheads FC at Highmark Stadium on Wednesday night.

As in their previous meeting with the Hammerheads, things fell into place again nicely for the Riverhounds after a great opening goal allowed the side to take early control. Two more tallies late in the first half paved the way to a much-needed victory.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds grabbed an early lead Wednesday and never looked back. Photo courtesy- United Soccer League.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds grabbed an early lead Wednesday and never looked back. Photo courtesy- United Soccer League.

The Riverhounds took the lead six minutes into the match when Hertzog curled home an excellent finish from 20 yards out after a nice layoff from Christian Martinez for his 10th goal of the season. Pittsburgh put the game in check just before the break as Danny Earls’ back-post corner kick from the right was headed home by Willie Hunt, while Nick Thompson added to the cushion headed into the second half.

The Hammerheads pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute when a cross from the left by Liam Miller found Kyle Parker at the back post, and his knock-back was put away by Ashani Fairclough, but Hertzog scored his second goal of the match in stoppage time from the penalty spot to extend Wilmington’s winless streak to eight games.

There’s still a little time to go before the Hammerheads are officially eliminated from playoff contention, but with six games to go and a seven-point gap between Wilmington and Orlando City B, the math is starting to look increasingly dim. The Hammerheads have gone from a very optimistic 6-5-5 record to a disappointing 6-11-7 over the current slide. Wilmington looks to turn things around at Legion Stadium later this week with a date against the Rochester Rhinos on Saturday, Aug. 27.

 

Scoring: 
6’ – PGH – Corey Hertzog (Christian Martinez)
40’ – PGH – Willie Hunt (Danny Earls)
44’ – PGH – Nick Thompson (Lebo Moloto)
72’ – WIL – Ashani Fairclough (Kyle Parker)
90+’ – PGH – Corey Hertzog (PK)

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