Riverhounds Add Former MLS Forwards Hertzog and Boggs

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds have announced the signing of former Major League Soccer strikers Corey Herztog and Zak Boggs.

Herztog enjoyed a successful collegiate career at Penn State. In 2009, his Sophomore year, he played in all 22 matches for the Nittany Lions, finishing the season as the universities leading score with 11 goals.  His best season came in when he was a junior, when he began receiving national attention and led the NCAA in scoring (20).

In his debut season in MLS, the striker made seven matches and tallied one goal for New York Red Bulls.  His lone goal came on June 28, 2011, in his first start, scoring his first professional goal in a Lamar Hunt US Open Cup match, a 2-1 victory over FC New York.  In 2012 he was loaned to Wilmington Hammerheads, a USL Pro side, where he made 17 appearances and led the league in scoring.  The 25-year-old, alongside Boggs, spent last season with the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the North American Soccer League.  In 47 appearances he found the net 8 times.

Zak Boggs‘ collegiate career began at the West Virginia, where he spent his freshman year, before transferring to Central Florida as a sophomore.  His success came when he again transferred, to the University of South Florida, where he scored nine goals and recorded six assists in 44 appearances during his two year stay.

After sitting out the 2007 season, he had crucial impact in 2008 as he was essential in helping the Bulls to their first BIG EAST championship in school history.  His performance in the playoff run saw him earn a spot on the BIG EAST All-Tournament Team.

In 2009, he helped guide South Florida to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where they fell to the top-seeded and eventual national runner-up, Akron.  His accolades included winning the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award for men’s soccer.

Boggs was drafted in 2010 in the second round (31st overall) of the MLS Super Draft by the New England Revolution.  During his rookie season with the Revolution he made nine appearances, but his debut campaign was cut short, missing the second half of the year due to a concussion.  The 2011 season saw an increase in play as the striker made 20 appearances with 16 of these coming in the starting XI, deployed in a variety of positions: eight starts as forward, two as central midfielder and six as a winger.  Boggs’ work ethic, on and off the field, earned him the 2011 MLS Humanitarian of the Year award.  However, he brings much more than this to the Riverhounds. 

"Next: Pitt basketball's top 5 ACC games to mark on your calendarAccording to MLS.com, Boggs is an attacking combination midfielder/forward with a nose for goal… more comfortable on the left side of midfield, but is effective as a right-sided midfielder and as an option at right back."