Charleston Battery News Release -- www.charlestonbattery.com
Friday, June 17, 2011
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Levi Coleman slotted home from close range in the 77th minute to lift Charleston to victory against the Dayton Dutch Lions on Friday night at Blackbaud Stadium. Dayton finished the game with nine players after Marvin van der Pluijm and Evan Schwarz both received red cards.
With the win the Battery (6-5-3) move within a point of third place Antigua Barracuda FC in the USL PRO National Division.
“We had a great ball into Evan Taylor, opened the field up finally and had a great square ball for the tap in by Levi Coleman,” said Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser. “You’ve gotta take the three points, re-group, and get ready for the huge Open Cup game on Tuesday.”
The Battery’s first major chance of the game came in the 18th minute. Midfielder Stephen Armstrong received the ball in the air for a volley across the field to Forward Dane Kelly. Armstrong’s efforts proved a touch too far for Kelly to have a quality strike on the ball.
Charleston was at it again in the 23rd minute with Kelly beating Dayton defense with a string of cutback moves. Kelly’s fancy footwork gave him space for a solid shot causing Dayton’s goalkeeper Jesper Leerdam to tip the shot over the net.
Moments later the Battery created a major opportunity after earning a free kick wide on the far side. Midfielder Evan Taylor’s free kick met the head of Kelly for a header just wide of the goal.
Dayton responded and managed a nice worked move as forward Lucien Seymour held the ball while teammate Evan Schwartz overlapped him on the outside. Schwartz received the pass and turned for the cross, which just barely missed the diving header attempt of Julius Willie.
Charleston scored the game-winner in the 77th minute after defender Colin Falvey played a perfectly weighted pass to the on-running Evan Taylor. Taylor took the ball in stride and drew the goalkeeper before he crossed to Coleman, who had time to take a touch before slotting home into the open net.
The Battery returns to Blackbaud Stadium on Tuesday for a second round U.S. Open Cup fixture against Orlando City; gates open at 6 p.m. with kick off set for 7:30 p.m.