Riverhounds earn much-needed 3 points with victory over Rhode Island

Getting the first goal in any soccer game is always a big advantage when it comes to winning games and getting three points.

When that goal comes from your big offseason free-agent signing who’s struggled all season, it’s even better.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds forward Augi Williams took a poorly defended ball in the 51st minute and rifled a shot quickly past Rhode Island goalkeeper Koke Vegas to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. It was his fourth goal of the season.

Six minutes later, it was Riverhounds forward Bertin Jacquesson’s turn, taking a long ball deep into the box and placing a well-timed blast on a sharp angle that beat Vegas and gave the Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead. That’s how things would end, sending 5,044 fans home happy Saturday night at Highmark Stadium.

For the Riverhounds (7-6-5), they got out to a much better first-half start as opposed to Tuesday’s match vs. Miami FC. The Riverhounds held an advantage in possession (56% to 44%) and shots on goal (3-1) against a Rhode Island (4-9-5) club that came into the game looking for their first win since June 28.

The early pace set by the home team was an indicator that a new plan for first-half offense was imperative, given how slow they have started in many games this season. Williams and Jacquesson played a give-and-go give minutes in that set the tone for the match as the Riverhounds finished with 12 shots, seven that found their intended target.

The fast start and subsequent first 12 minutes of the second half pleased Riverhounds manager Bob Lilley.

“Bertin and Augi had to be strong with elbows in their ears all night,” Lilley said. “I think a big part of tonight’s game was winning second balls. I was on them all this week. When contesting a header, we had to work at it. Our movements up front were livelier, and I felt that caused problems and got other players involved.”

Williams, who came to Pittsburgh from USL Eastern Conference rival Indy 11, has been a disappointment of sorts so far. Inconsistent play and his lack of scoring chances have been a theme in postgame news conferences with his manager.

As for Jacquesson, he’s only played sporadically in 2025, logging just 406 minutes in 11 contests. Lilley, who was looking for a jump-start to his offensive struggles, pushed the right buttons by starting Bertin. It was just the second time all season he and Augi started a game together.

“I thought they did well today. They helped in defending. It was cooler out, and that helped us,” said Lilley. “But they are big, and dealing with the balls in the air and collisions was a challenge. They (Rhode Island) haven’t found the results this year, but they are going to be capable of stringing 5 to 6 games this season.

The victory was a critical one for Pittsburgh, which avenged a 1-0 loss at Rhode Island on May 31 in Pawtucket. It also broke the Riverhounds’ three-match draw run.

“We needed this aggression tonight,” Lilley stated. “That’s what we’re capable of. That’s why we don’t want draws. The intensity. The focus. And we’ve had a good record at home. That intensity level has dropped recently. You’re winning. You’re drawing well. We need to try and build on this. This is a chance to propel ourselves forward.”

They are tied with North Carolina FC in the Eastern Conference playoff race with 26 points, but North Carolina FC owns the regular-season tiebreaker along with holding a game in hand.

Pittsburgh will enjoy a week off to prepare for its next opponent, as Orange County FC invades Highmark Stadium for a 7 p.m. game next Saturday. The game will be carried by SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Notes: Goalkeeper Erik Dick registered his eighth shutout on the season and 23rd as a member of the Riverhounds. … William’s goal was the 80th of his USL career. Jacquesson’s strike was his first in USL play.