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 Charleston Battery

Battery looking for first win Friday night versus Thunder

April 22, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Charleston Battery News Release


Charleston, SC. After playing two games without scoring or conceding a goal the Battery will be looking for its first win of the season Friday night versus the Minnesota Thunder at Blackbaud Stadium ($5 - $15, 971-GOAL / charlestonbattery.com). Gates open at 6:30 PM with kick off set for 7:30 PM as the Battery plays a second straight home game. The Charleston defense has been in excellent form and goalkeeper Dusty Hudock has only been called upon to make three saves on the way to his two shut-outs.

The Battery tied 0-0 at Vancouver in the season opener and then tied 0-0 versus the Montreal Impact in the first home game played last Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium. Forward Dan Antoniuk led the offensive threat with three shots but despite creating several good chances the Battery failed to find the net.

The Minnesota Thunder also enters the match looking for their first win of the year. Minnesota lost 2-1 in Carolina in the opening weekend and tied the Austin Aztex 1-1 last Saturday night.

In 2008 the Minnesota Thunder defeated the Battery twice and the teams played to a 1-1 draw in the third game; both defeats were in Minnesota.

Charleston Battery head coach Mike Anhaeuser should have a full complement of players available for selection Friday night with defender O'Brian Woodbine the only player unavailable through injury.

Charleston's back four of Frankie Sanfilippo, Matt Bobo, Nelson Akwari and John Wilson have played every minute of the season so far, limiting opponents to a combined 15 shots, three of which required saves from goalkeeper Dusty Hudock.

The last time Charleston began the season with a pair of shut-outs was 2003, the year the Battery won the USL First Division championship.

The Thunder are led by head coach Donny Gramenz, a former Minnesota player who took over on an interim basis midway through the 08 season. Gramenz sparked the Thunder to an improbable playoff run that saw them lose narrowly to the eventual champions, the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first round.

Gramenz played 212 games for the Minnesota Thunder and was a member of the team that lost to the Charleston Battery in the 03 final.

The Thunder retained the services of goalkeeper Nick Platter for the 2009 season after he spent most of the off-season with DC United. Now in his fifth year with Minnesota, Platter was with DC in Charleston this March for the Carolina Challenge Cup.

GO GREEN Night

It is GO GREEN Night Friday at Blackbaud as the Battery recognizes local green businesses and organizations. There will be a special GREEN vendor village at the match featuring 40 local vendors, PLUS fan's can enjoy $2 drafts until kick off in the Charleston Battery Beer Gardens. Children who attend the game will receive an official Charleston Battery autograph book courtesy of Angie Gainey Bailey Realty. It's a $5 Friday courtesy of Five Guy's Burgers and Fries with tickets starting at just $5; to purchase tickets, for directions to Blackbaud Stadium or for more information please call (843) 971-GOAL (4625) or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.

Hudock, Sanfilippo and Yoshitake honored

Dusty Hudock, Frankie Sanfilippo and Tsuyohsi Yoshitake have all been named to the USL First Division team of the week following strong performances in last weekends match with Montreal. The USL1 player of the week is Miami FC's Diego Serna who recorded a goal and an assist in the Blues 3-1 win versus Cleveland.

USL1 Week round-up

The Carolina RailHawks continued their perfect start to the season with a 1-0 win versus the Rochester Rhinos; Salieu Bundu scored the lone goal as the RailHawks solidified their position at the top of the table. The match featured three ejections as Rochester's Danny Earls and former Battery midfielder John Ball both saw red plus Carolina's Devon McKenney ... In a rematch of the 08 final the Puerto Rico Islanders came from behind to defeat the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1; former Whitecap Nick Addlery scored both Puerto Rico goals.

The Miami FC Blues opened their campaign with a solid 3-1 win versus the Cleveland City Stars. It was Cleveland's first taste of USL1 action after receiving promotion from USL2 following their championship win in 2008... The expansion franchise Austin Aztex fought back to a 1-1 draw versus the Minnesota Thunder on Saturday night; defender Lyle Adams scored the first goal in Aztex history... Austin earned a second point on Tuesday again coming from behind for a 1-1 tie with the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Charleston Battery to attend area Farmer's Markets

The Charleston Battery players will be attending local farmers markets to sign autographs and support local growers and businesses. Several players will be at the North Charleston Market this Thursday (April 23) from 1 PM - 6 PM at Park Circle on Montague Avenue, where they will be raffling an autographed Charleston Battery jersey, fans can also purchase tickets for upcoming Battery games at the markets.

North Chars. F. Market Thursday, April 23, 2009 1-6pm

North Chars. F. Market Thursday, June 25th 1-6pm

Mt. Pleasant F. Market Tuesday, May 12 3pm - dark

Mt. Pleasant F. Market Tuesday, May 19th 3pm - dark

Daniel Island F. Market Thursday, May 28, 2009 3pm - dark

Daniel Island F. Market Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009 3pm - dark

Charleston F. Market Saturday, July 11, 2009 8-2pm (Tentative)


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