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USL Charleston Battery

Battery battles back twice, falls on the road to Rochester

May 6, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charleston Battery News Release


ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - Despite battling back from two separate one-goal deficits, the Charleston Battery lost 3-2 on the road to Rochester Friday night in a high-scoring affair between two traditional defensive heavyweights.

The attacking fireworks started early as Rochester got on the scoreboard before either team had time to settle into the game. The first goal came in the 11th minute from a free kick swung in by Rhinos captain Mike Garzi. Charleston goalkeeper Alex Tambakis came for the cross, but got caught in no man's land and ended up miles away from the ball. Center back Joe Farrell cut across the defenders unmarked and got his head to Garzi's serve, turning it goal-wards for his first of the season.

It didn't take long for Charleston to find an equalizer following the soft opening goal. Midfielder Zach Prince, playing in his first game in three weeks after serving a two-match suspension, picked up a loose Rhinos outlet pass around the center stripe and launched a long ball towards center forward Romario Williams who got himself in a good position between right back Dominic Samuels and center back Wal Fall at the top of the box.

Williams brought Prince's pass down on his chest brilliantly to set himself up for a tap in at the back post. The goal was the Jamaican's fourth of the season and just the first of his many contributions in the match.

The two teams exchanged possession and long balls out of the back for the minutes following the Battery's equalizer before Kenardo Forbes scored in the 28th minute to restore his side's one-goal advantage. Steevan Dos Santos created the goal with a great piece of skill. The 6-4 center forward used his massive frame to get himself between Charleston center backs Shawn Ferguson and Taylor Mueller. Dos Santos flicked the ball between the two defenders and fired a shot towards goal that was well-blocked by Tambakis. The rebound ricocheted off the Greek goalkeeper and fell kindly to Forbes who finished it easily.

Friday's game was only Dos Santos second appearance of the year. The Cape Verde native picked up two separate suspensions that made him unavailable for four of Rochester's opening five games. Dos Santos usually finds a way to cause defenders trouble and certainly made his presence known in the match against the Battery.

Despite falling behind for the second time in the first half, Charleston controlled the game for the remainder of the first 45 minutes and much of the second. The Battery resorted to route one football, launching long balls and counter attacks to try to beat Rochester with pace in behind. Knocking the ball long and pressing the Rhinos high up the field proved useful and led to the better of the scoring chances falling to Charleston in the latter part of the match.

The Battery came out of the locker room for the second half ready to claw back into the game and did so immediately. Second-year forward Ricky Garbanzo knotted the score up at two in the 47th minute, tallying his first goal of the year.

The goal started with Williams, who picked the ball up in the center of the park and ran at Rochester's back four with pace. The Rhinos defenders collapsed on the forward, leaving him space to slip the ball in behind the defense for Garbanzo. Garbanzo's initial shot was saved by goalkeeper Tomas Gomez, but the rebound fell at his feet and he finished it calmly.

Four goals in 47 minutes at Sahlen's Stadium is a rare site, but Rochester did its best to turn the game into the type of match one typically sees in upstate New York. Following Charleston's second equalizer, the game became stop-start, with tons of fouls, bookings, and injuries. The match lost its rhythm, which played into the host's hands.

Rochester scored the game-winner on a penalty kick following an O'brian Woodbine handball in the box. There was little Woodbine could do about the penalty; a well-struck shot from Dos Santos struck the Jamaican defender's arm on its way towards goal. Tony Walls converted the penalty in the 75th minute, sending Tambakis the wrong way.

Charleston had opportunities to find a third equalizer in the dying minutes of the game, but couldn't convert. The best came when Williams, who put in his best performance in a Battery jersey thus far finishing the night with three points, exchanged passes with substitute Austin Savage at the top of Rochester's penalty box. The give-and-go ended in a shot from Williams that whistled just inches over the crossbar.

The win was Rochester's third straight and moves them up to second place in the Eastern Conference with a game in hand on leaders Louisville City FC. Charleston continues its road trip Monday night with a game in Harrisburg. The Battery will be pushing hard for three points when it takes on the City Islanders at 7:00 pm.

Charleston returns home to MUSC Health Stadium on May 14th (vs. Toronto FC II) and the following Wednesday for its first game of the U.S. Open Cup. Both games will kick off at 7:30. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 971-GOAL.

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