Tuesday, April 17, 2012
ROCK HILL, S.C. -- The Charleston Battery took their second victory of the season, keeping the Charlotte Eagles winless, with a 3-0 win at on Tuesday night at Winthrop University. Tony Donatelli and Ryan Richter both scored first-half goals, while substitute J.C. Mack added a third late in the second half to clinch the victory.
After a high-paced opening to the game which saw neither side able to create much in the way of chances in the first 15 minutes, the Eagles created the first clear opportunity. In the 17th minute, Joseph Kabwe fired a low shot from the edge of the penalty area, but Charleston goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra was able to make a nice diving save. Charleston quickly answered with a great build-up that allowed them to move into the Eagles' penalty area, Nicki Paterson forcing a save from Charlotte goalkeeper Eric Reed.
Reed was powerless to prevent the Battery from going ahead in the 23rd minute, however, as Jose Cuevas flighted a beautiful cross into the penalty area that found Donatelli, who drilled the ball into the back of the net, giving Charleston the lead. The Eagles were able to show some life in the 29th minute with both a free kick followed by a corner, but the Battery's defense was up the the challenge both times.
The Battery then doubled their lead in the 44th minute. On a counter-attack, Richter took on the Eagles' defense by himself, and after beating the last man he turned and drilled the ball past Reed, putting Charleston up 2-0 at halftime.
After making four substitutions at the break the Eagles came out strong in the second half, with Mauricio Salles putting his mark on the game with his first shot of the night in the 50th minute. The Brazilian ripped a volley just over the crossbar from 12 yards out, providing a scare for Dykstra.
With a two-goal lead Charleston felt comfortable to sit back a bit, allowing Charlotte more possession. The Eagles tried to take advanage, pressing to pull a goal back, and in the 64th minute, Salles an opening in the Charleston defense. The substitute was able to fire a blistering drive across the face of the goal, but it went just beyond the foot of Chris Salvaggione at the back post. Salles was at the heart of most the Eagles' best chances in the second half, but the Battery's defense was able to withstand the pressure.
Charleston had its best opportunity of the second half with just over 15 minutes to play as Patterson blasted a shot at Reed. The Eagles' goalkeeper wasn't able to handle the ball cleanly, but his defense was on hand to help clear to safety. With three minutes to go, though, the Battery sealed their victory as Mack was on hand to put away a rebound after Reed could only parry Richter's initial shot.
The Eagles return to Charlotte Christian this Friday night to face the Harrisburg City Islanders at 7 p.m. Eagles season tickets and game tickets can be purchased online at www.CharlotteEagles.com. For group rates contact the Eagles office at 704-841-8644x27. Charleston will return to Blackbaud Stadium for their next outing, as they host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Friday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m.