Saturday, May 12, 2012
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Rochester Rhinos took a 1-0 against the Charleston Battery on Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium in front of 3,819 fans. Rhinos midfielder Danny Earls scored the lone goal in the 61st minute to lift Rochester to victory. The Battery enjoyed the majority of possession throughout the game and forced goalkeeper Kristian Nicht to make 10 saves but could not find the back of the net. Rochester’s superb start to the season continues as the Rhinos maintained their perfect record with a sixth win in six games.
Charleston created the first chance of the match in the sixth minute after forward Sallieu Bundu fought off his defender just outside the box. Bundu fired a shot at the goal but Nicht dropped to his left to make the save. Minutes later midfielder Tony Donatelli, facing his former side, came close after cutting inside his defender on the right side. Donatelli drove his shot at the goal but again Nicht made the save.
Charleston continued to press and earned a corner in the 35th minute. The ball was swung into the middle and after an initial clearance Battery midfielder Amadou Sanyang volleyed the ball at the goal. Nicht was stranded on the far side of the goal but the shot was cleared off the line by a Rochester defender.
The Rhinos scored the vital goal just after the hour mark after Earls received the ball 30 yards out. The midfielder took a touch inside and hit a low shot that beat Battery goalkeeper Andre Dykstra just inside the near post. The Battery responded immediately and Donatelli was denied again in the 63rd minute after his point-blank volley was smothered by Nicht.
The Battery’s final chance came in stoppage time through a Nicki Paterson free kick, but again Nicht was equal to the task, punching Paterson's curling effort away to safety.
The Charleston Battery’s next match is a second round Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup game on Tuesday, May 22 at Blackbaud Stadium; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. The Battery will face the winner of the N.Y. Greek Americans (USASA) at Reading United AC (PDL) first round match.