Scoreless Draw for Erie Commodores and Pittsburgh Hotspurs

By Scott Wilson/Erie Commodores FC

A stalemate between the two sides was not a surprise result after neither side have been free
flowing in front of goal in recent matches. It was a game that Erie dominated in every stat
possible except the most important one, which was the score line.

The Commodores created many good goal scoring chances but credit to the Hotspurs defense
who stood firm for 90 minutes. Erie went into this match knowing a lot was riding on this game
in terms of their future, with the result having massive implications on the rest of the Commodores season. The Commodores had most of the chances with the Pittsburgh side rarely
venturing into the opposition’s third, but none of that would matter with the points being shared.
This would leave the Commodores’ chances of qualifying for the playoffs out of their hands.

From the beginning Erie took control of the game and set the tone for the rest of the 90 minutes.
The first meaningful chance of the game falling to Erie in the sixth minute after a beautiful ball
over the Hotspurs back line from Owen Connelly found the feet of Curtis Stollery, but the
Australian forward couldn’t get meaningful contact.

The Commodores had a great chance in the 32 nd minute to take the lead after a great run from
English forward William Stone. He was taken down by the goalkeeper after dribbling through
the heart of the Hotspurs backline and a penalty was awarded. Danish striker Mathias Krigbaum
stepped up, but the SIUE senior couldn’t convert. That would be all the action for the first half
as the sides remained tied at 0-0.

The second half continued the same as the first half with the Commodores having the majority of
possession, but they simply couldn’t break down the Pittsburgh backline. The best chances of the
second half fell to Krigbaum. After a corner from Pittsburgh was cleared, the clearance would
fall to Rhys Wallace, who released the big Dane down the left side. He would beat the two
defenders in his path before firing a shot goalward from the left side only to see it rattle off the
framework.

The next big chance for the Commodores fell to defender Joseph Bell in the 73 rd minute who was
left unmarked at a corner, but the young Scottish defender couldn’t properly connect with
Connelly’s delivery.

A few half chances fell to substitutes Kieran Paterson and Ivo Mendoza, but nothing really
threatened the Hotspurs goal.

Pittsburgh had to wait until late for their best scoring opportunity. It came in the 81st minute
after a free kick was bent into the far post where a Hotspurs defender rose highest, but saw his
header trickle just wide of the right post.

The final whistle blew, and the sense of disappointment was clear to see for all involved with the
Commodores. Their future in the NPSL postseason is now out of their hands. This was in
contrast to those involved with Pittsburgh who were jubilant with their first-ever point.

The Commodores are back on the road for their next NPSL fixture on Sunday, June 30th at
Aquinas Institute in Rochester, NY as Erie take on rivals Rochester Lancers at 7:00 pm.

Photo Credit: Jennifer White/Acacia Studios