After slumping offensively thoughout July, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds used one highlight-reel goal to get back on track Saturday night.
Eliot Goldthorp scored a first-half goal to lead the Riverhounds to a 1-0 road victory over the Oakland Roots.
Coming into the game, the Riverhounds were 1-4-1 in their last six league matches and were shut out four times during that span. The victory helped the Hounds (8-8-2) strengthened their hold on fifth place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference standings.
Oakland (5-7-6) lost its third straight.
In the 20th minute, Riverhounds midfielder Charles Ahl took a pass near the top-left corner of the penalty area, beat a defender one on one and sent a cross into the box. Albert Dikwa headed it down to Max Viera at the right post. Viera headed the ball back into the middle, where Goldthorp buried a shot.
Oakland had 72.5% of possession and held a 7-6 advantage in shots, but the Riverhounds did not allow a shot on goal in the game. Hounds goalkeeper Nico Campuzano, therefore, recorded his fifth shutout of the season without making a save.
The Riverhounds will return home to host Sacramento Republic FC at 7 p.m. next Saturday at F.N.B. Stadium.