Friday, April 27, 2012
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Charleston Battery defeated the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 1-0 on Friday night at Blackbaud Stadium in front of a crowd of 3,269 supporters, earning their firstt home victory of the young season. Nicki Paterson scored the game-winner in the first half when he headed home a free kick from midfielder Jose Cuevas. The win lifts the Battery into a tie on points for first place with Orlando City in the USL PRO standings.
“We had chances to put pressure on them,” said Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser. “The first half was fantastic, we created put them under pressure and just missed a couple chances to put the game away and that's the difference, we kept them in the game.”
The Battery (3-1-0) opened the scoring in the 10th minute when they were awarded a free kick 30 yards out on the left side. Jose Cuevas found Paterson at the near-post to head home for his second goal of the season.
The Battery had several more good chances in the first half and could have added to their lead but were denied by some excellent goalkeeping by Pittsburgh’s Hunter Gilstrap.
After the break and particularly in the latter stages Pittsburgh (2-2-0) started challenging Battery goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra. In the 75th minute Pittsburgh had their best chance of the night when the midfielder Rich Costanzo fired a shot in the box. Dykstra held strong making a kick save to preserve Charleston's lead.
“We attacked all night and we didn’t let up. Sending numbers forward, we kept it exciting with three or four counters in the last 10 minutes,” said Anhaeuser “Andrew Dykstra made a couple great saves there at the end holding the ball and with a couple punches. We got our first three points here at home and that's all we want to worry about.”
The Charleston Battery’s next game is Friday, May 4th as they take on Antigua Barracuda FC at Blackbaud Stadium; gates open at 6 p.m. with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.