Stoppage time goals lead to draw between Riverhounds, Colorado Springs

In about five minutes of second half stoppage time the Pittsburgh Riverhounds went from jubilation to the sensation of a gut punch.

Sean Suber’s header into the net 25 seconds into the five minutes of added time gave the Hounds the lead, but they couldn’t see it out.

Colorado Springs’ Delent Pientz scored on a header of his own in the waning seconds and foiled a comeback attempt and yet another opportunity for three points at home in a 2-2 draw Saturday night at Highmark Stadium.

“It’s probably the biggest roller coaster of emotions in my career,” Hounds midfielder Jackson Walti said. “In a five- minute span where we were low, to all the way high to all the way low again.”

It was another squandered opportunity for the Hounds (6-9-10) to gain ground in the Eastern Conference standings where they are currently in 10th place and five points out of eighth.

And maybe the cruelest ending to date.

The Hounds had a chance to clear the box that probably would’ve ended the match, but the attempt ricocheted sideways out of bounds.

That gave Colorado Springs one last opportunity, and the Switchbacks cashed in. Following a throw in, a desperate cross was whipped into the box and Pientz connected on a header at the back post.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Hounds defender Sean Suber said. “We know we had 10 games left (coming into Saturday) and we probably need to win every game at home to have a shot at playoffs. We got the goal, which was great and we had five minutes to seal the deal. Then they get a goal out of pretty much nothing. It’s heartbreak. That’s pretty much all I can say.”

Suber’s goal came on a set piece where Bradley Sample put a curling ball into the box from 30 yards out. If the Hounds had seen it out, it would’ve been their first comeback win of the season.

They trailed 1-0 at halftime after conceding a goal on a turnover in the 13th minute.

Matt Real picked up an errant pass from Edward Kizza and the Switchbacks countered quickly. Real took an initial shot low that Hounds keeper Erick Dick got a piece of, but the ball kept going behind him and Tyreek Magee tapped it in.

In the 54th minute Walti tied the game at 1-1 with his first professional goal. It came after a corner from Kenardo Forbes landed at the feet of Danny Griffin.

Griffin’s shot was blocked, pinballed to Walti, who had his initial shot blocked, but the ball settled for him again and he ripped into the top right corner.

“It’s my first goal in over a year and I’m typically not a player that takes a lot of shots or has a lot of chances, so I guess a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while,” Walti said. “I got a little bit lucky with the strike, but it happened at a good time. I just wish we could’ve ended the game with a win.”

Hounds coach Bob Lilley forecasted that 48 points is likely needed to get into the postseason. If that’s the case, the Hounds will need 20 points out of a possible 27 in their last nine games.

The good news for them is that they are unbeaten in seven, but four of those are draws.

A win will be needed in almost every match the rest of the way starting with a trip to Birmingham on Saturday, a team that’s seven points ahead of them in the standings.

“We’ve been shooting for that number (48) over the last month,” Lilley said. “Winning three of four we were making up ground on it quickly, but now drawing the last three we’ve got three out of the last nine and that’s dropped points.

“I’m proud that the guys battled to get back in it, but disappointed at the end result. We’re all learning a lot of lessons this year. Hopefully it’ll serve us moving forward this year and years to come. We have to show character in this moment, keep pushing and not lay down.”