The Pittsburgh Riverhounds scored just once in Saturday’s United Soccer League Championship matchup at Louisville City.
But that was all that was needed as the Riverhounds scored a 1-0 shutout victory.
The win was the first of the season for Pittsburgh, which owned a loss and two ties over its first three games.
Louisville City, the two-time defending league champion, fell to 2-3 overall.
The triumph and its three points lifted the Riverhounds into a tie for ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings (1-1-2, five points).
Louisville City now is in eighth.
The game-winner came in the 74th minute as Neco Brett converted a penalty kick after a foul inside the 18-yard box. It was enough for goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard, who recorded the first shutout of his professional career.
The Riverhounds’ defense allowed only one shot on target.
Robbie Mertz, an Upper St. Clair graduate who played at Michigan, made his Riverhounds debut against Louisville City. He signed with the team March 29.
After four consecutive road matches to begin the season, the Riverhounds return home Saturday to face Hartford Athletic at Highmark Stadium. The match will begin at 7.
Hartford Athletic (0-5-0) remains one of four winless teams in the Eastern Conference.
Pittsburgh also will be at home April 20 when it hosts conference-leading St. Louis FC (4-0-1).
