Tuesday, May 14, 2013
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte Eagles remained undefeated in the 2013 USL PRO Season with a 1-0 victory against the Charleston Battery on Tuesday night at the Queens Sports Complex. Shaun Francis curled in the game winner on a free kick from just outside the penalty area. The Eagles, who have only allowed one goal at home this season, played some strong defense as Eric Reed recorded his fourth shutout of the season, ending the Battery's five-game winning streak.
Charleston's first chance came in the 18th minute as Emmanuel Adjetey's shot curled just wide of the post. The Battery's Amadou Sanyang took a hard knock and would be subbed out in the 31st minute with Jarad Van Schaik replacing the midfielder as the game remained scoreless at the break.
The Eagles enjoyed the better of the possession in the second half, but as in the first half were not able to create many scoring chances against a tough Battery defense. Zach Prince created an opportunity for Charleston in the 60th minute with some fancy dribbling, but his cross was cleared away by Fejiro Okiomah.
The Eagles were able to take the lead in the 66th minute as they were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area. Francis stepped up and was able to bend it around the wall and into the left corner of the net. Charleston pushed for an equalizer, second-half substitute Austin Savage slicing a shot wide of the near post in the 78th minute and Dane Kelly sending a shot high of the crossbar in the 80th minute.
The Battery mounted a late charge in an effort to tie the game but the Eagles defense was able to repel each chance and keep the clean sheet.
The Eagles next outing comes in the U.S. Open Cup, as they host either the PDL's Sounders FC U23 or Doxa Italia in the second round next Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. at the Queens Sports Complex. Make sure to check out www.CharlotteEagles.com for more details!