USL-1 Charleston Battery

Battery battles back to earn tie with Whitecaps

August 21, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Charleston Battery News Release


CHARLESTON, SC-The heat was the real winner Thursday night at Blackbaud Stadium as the Charleston Battery played the Vancouver Whitecaps to a 1-1 draw. Ian Fuller pulled the Battery back to level terms two minutes into the second half to move the Battery to 12-4-9 on the season.

"Any time you have to come back on a night like this it's going to be difficult," said Battery head coach Mike Anhaeuser. "But coming out the second half we did what we had to do to pull level and stay in the hunt."

Fuller, plagued with injury all season, notched just his second tally on the year in the 47th minute, slipping unmarked into the Vancouver goal box to easily nod home a Tsuyoshi Yoshitake free kick from the left flank.

Charles Gbeke put the visitors in front just five minutes into the match, slapping home a searching cross from former College of Charleston standout Wes Knight off his shin past the Battery's Keith Wiggans.

Wiggans, making his eighth start in league play faced 12 shots on the night making one save standing in for the injured Dusty Hudock.

At the other end of the field, Vancouver's Jay Nolly faced seven shots, making seven saves on the night.

After drawing level, the Battery kept up the pressure. Scott Buete nearly put the Battery in the lead in the 51st minute, connecting with Yoshitake inside the penalty area but was denied by a diving Nolly.

The Battery had the final chance of the night in the 71st minute off the fresh legs of substitute Kenji Treschuk, who was unceremoniously brought to the turf just prior to entering the Vancouver penalty area. Yoshitake's resulting free kick bent around the wall but was parried away by Nolly for a corner kick.

The draw pushes the Battery into sole possession of second place with 45 points, now three points behind next Friday's opponent, Portland (13-1-9, 48 points), unbeaten in 22 league matches, and one point clear of third place Carolina.

Kickoff for next Friday's top-of-the-table clash is set for 8:00 p.m. and will be televised nationally on Fox Soccer Channel and followed by fireworks. Tickets for next Friday's game start at just $5. Call 843-971-GOAL or go to www.charlestonbattery.com for ticket information.

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USL First Division Stories from August 21, 2009


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