Charleston Battery News Release -- www.charlestonbattery.com
Friday, July 12, 2011
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Needing a win to advance to the playoffs, the Charleston Battery defeated the Charlotte Eagles 4-3 on Friday night at Blackbaud Stadium in front of 4,773 fans. Mike Zaher led the way with two superb goals as the Battery completed a season sweep of three victories against the Eagles.
“What a great start we had, moving Mike Zaher up front was a great move for us by scoring two goals early,” said head coach Mike Anhaeuser. “We did well but credit to the Eagles for never giving up.”
The Charleston Battery opened up the night of goals in the fifth minute. Dane Kelly was in control of the ball, bringing it up the field with a bit of pace. With a swift cutback move, Kelly played the ball square to teammate Zach Prince who struck the ball powerfully to the back of the net from just outside the penalty area.
Charleston doubled its advantage in the seventh minute as Nicki Patterson chipped the ball to the feet of Mike Zaher. With a quick settling touch Zaher ripped a sublime full volley into the upper right-hand corner of the net for the second goal of the night.
Charlotte retaliated in the 18th minute when Diego Martins dribbled just outside of the Battery box for a quick back pass to Jorge Herrera, who struck the ball for a strong shot off of the laces, but the attempt was saved by goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra. The Battery added a third in the 30th minute when defender Nigel Marples played a through-ball to Zaher. With a burst of speed and a scissors move Zaher pulled the ball onto his right foot and curled a shot into the back of the net for the third goal of the night.
The Eagles fought back and scored just before the half from a free kick just yards outside of the box. The shot, taken by Herrera, zipped through a crowd of players and rolled into the right side of the net.
The Battery scored their fourth goal of the evening in the 61st minute when defender Sean Flatley played a long ball to a sprinting Kelly, whose strength and pace brought him past Charlotte’s defense with just the goalkeeper Eric Reed to beat. With a flick past Reed’s right side, the ball flew straight into the net.
The game finished in wild fashion as the Eagles pulled two goal back in stoppage time with Sallieu Bundu and Miguel Ferrer giving Charlotte hope, but time ran out before the Eagles could find the vital fourth goal.
With the win Charleston will advance to the USL PRO American Division semifinal and play the Orlando City Lions next Saturday night at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla. (1340 AM / www.charlestonbattery.com).