PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – They’ve become Pittsburgh’s perennial playoff team over the last few years and Saturday the Riverhounds play their final exhibition game before the season begins in Memphis on March 12.
In an attempt to get different looks, the Hounds mixed up their preseason schedule with three games against USL teams along with three against college teams. They wrapped up a perfect preseason with a 4-0 win over the West Virginia Mountaineers Saturday.
“They are almost like Cup games because it means the world and sometimes you are playing those teams with some trialists or guys working into fitness,” said Riverhounds Head Coach Bob Lilley of playing college competition. “Although they are not in their heavy fall season, generally they come with a lot of energy. Most of the time those games are pretty close, you got to deal with that competition. They are going to play hard.”
Lilley’s team trailed Villanova to open the preseason 2-0 after 25 minutes, only to come back and win, 3-2. While they eventually won 7-1 against Pitt, it was only a 2-0 game at the half. They wrap up with a West Virginia team that made a tournament run last season.
“They come out with such high intensity,” said Riverhounds leading scorer Russell Cicerone of playing college teams. “It’s good for us because they come out and try to put some pressure on us. We got to be able to deal with that. The last couple we played, they came out with high intensity and that’s how it’s going to be on the first day of the season. It’s definitely getting us ready.”
“I would expect West Virginia coming off a good season,” Lilley said. “It will be a tough opponent for Saturday.”
Pitt/Duquesne connection
Of the six goal scorers against the Panthers, one was once a Panther. Defender Robby Dambrot played the last three seasons with Loudoun United FC starting 27 games in 2021. He was a grad transfer to Pitt from Akron and helped the Panthers win a first ever ACC Tournament game in 2018.
“He’s got pretty good pace and a good left foot,” Lilley said. “We are trying to get him a little bit more consistent. He’s still adjusting to the guys and the system. He’s someone that I think is a tough-minded kid that will bring some physical qualities and pace.”
Lilley said it’s tough to find left-side defensemen and he expects Dambrot to compete for minutes. He said he will ‘make a positive contribution’ to their season.
Dambrot’s father is the head basketball coach at Duquesne.