Charleston Battery News Release -- www.charlestonbattery.com
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Charleston Battery earned a 2-0 win over Regals FC in the first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tuesday night at Blackbaud Stadium in front of 1,761. Nicki Paterson scored the first from the penalty spot and Dane Kelly smashed home the second to lift the Battery to victory.
With the win the Battery advances to the second round of the competition and will host either Orlando City or ASC New Stars next Tuesday night at Blackbaud Stadium.
“We tried to pick them up at halftime and get Levi to stay high and it worked, we got the goal. And when you get the first goal that’s the most important,” said Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser. “In the Open Cup its all about you win, you move on, and you don’t look behind you.”
Charleston started off the night with a major chance in the sixth minute. Battery midfielder Brandon Massie met a free kick from Paterson with a header that just skimmed the crossbar missing the goal by inches. The Battery was at it again in the 15th minute with a shot driven hard by defender Mike Zaher. The effort was barely scooped up by Regals goalkeeper Marcus Sanchez who struggled to keep the ball under control.
Regals FC fought back and forward Roy Hernandez attempted a shot from just inside the box in the 18th minute but could not get enough on it get past Battery goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra.
The Battery opened the scoring in the 47th minute after a penalty kick was called as a result of a push on Battery forward Levi Coleman by Regals FC defender Robert Hernandez. The kick was taken by Patterson who scored with a hard shot to the upper right hand corner of the net.
The second Battery goal resulted from a string of passes between the Battery midfield and forwards. Massie brought the ball up the sideline for a cross into the box to teammate Seedy Bah. Bah received the ball quickly and made a back heel pass to Kelly whose swift cutback left an open shot and goal to the back of the net in the 78th minute.
Next up for the Battery is a USL PRO match against the Dayton Dutch Lions on Friday June 17th at 7:30 pm at Blackbaud Stadium.