
Battery Draw to Fury on Season Opener
March 9, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charleston Battery News Release
The Charleston Battery opened their 2019 USL Championship season Saturday night with a 1-1 draw to Ottawa Fury FC.
It was an electric start for the Battery as midfielder, Kotaro Higashi, forced a save on the Ottawa keeper twenty seconds into the game. Minutes later the Battery had another opportunity to score the games first goal as O'Brian Woodbine played in a great cross that deflected off of Ian Svantessons head and just wide of the far post.
Ottawa Fury quickly regrouped and scored an early goal in the sixth minute to put the visitors up 1-0. A pass across the box found the feet of Kevin Oliveira who clipped the underside of the crossbar, the ball finding its way into the back of the net.
The Battery had thought they drew things level in the eighteenth minute when Higashi hit another great strike. The initial save was made and Romario Piggott followed up the rebound with ease. A late offsides call on Piggott disallowed the goal.
The Battery would have a chance for redemption in the 65th minute. Once again, Ian Svantesson was the hero for the Battery rescuing a point in a game that produced numerous chances late. A wonderful run by Tah Brian Anunga pulled in three defenders and the powerful midfielder slipped a fantastic ball through to Higashi. Higashi's powerful shot couldn't be controlled by the goalkeeper and Svantesson made no mistake on the follow-up.
"We've been working on rebounds for the past two weeks," said Battery head coach Mike Anhaeuser, "he's improving in situations where he can be dangerous".
A number of new Battery faces made their debuts, including AJ Patterson who started the match at left back and played a full ninety. Arthur Bosua came on in the 74th minute and caused defenders problems with his size and strength. Dante Marini made an appearance as a substitute after missing 2018 due to a knee injury.
Next up for the Battery is USL Championship newcomer Hartford Athletic on Saturday, March 16th at MUSC Health Stadium. Hartford Athletic lost 2-0 against Atlanta United II in their USL Championship debut. Tickets for the match are available for purchase at tickets.charlestonbattery.com or by calling (843) 971-GOAL!
Boxscore:
CHARLESTON: Kuzminsky, Woodbine, Mueller, Bolt, Paterson, Candela, Anunga, Rittmeyer (Marini 76'), Higashi (Bosua 74'), Piggott, Svantesson (goal, 65', Kelly 87')
Substitutes: Beebe, Breno, Nelson, Kelly, Marini, van Schaik, Arthur
OTTAWA: Attakora, Fall (Barnathan 85'), Mannella (de Freitas 68'), Obasi, Haworth, Oliveira (goal, 16'), Monsalve, Ward, Francois, Dixon (Gagnon Lapare 78'), Meilleur-Giguere
Substitutes: Tisseur, Kinumre, Barnathan, de Freitas, Lapare
United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 9, 2019
- Sandoval finds the net for the first time in NM United history as the team earns its first ever point - New Mexico United
- Lancaster, Rios Open Accounts as Nashville SC Wins Season Opener - Nashville SC
- San Antonio FC Earns 3-3 Draw in Front of Sellout Crowd at Toyota Field - San Antonio FC
- Phoenix Rising Battles Back for 3-3 Draw in San Antonio - Phoenix Rising FC
- ATL UTD 2 Wins 2-0 in Season Opener against Hartford Athletic - Atlanta United 2
- Roughnecks Open 2019 with Draw vs. Portland - FC Tulsa
- Battery Draw to Fury on Season Opener - Charleston Battery
- Sold-Out Crowd Welcomes Pro Soccer to AutoZone Park Saturday Night - Memphis 901 FC
- Fury FC Secures Its First Point of the 2019 Campaign in 1-1 Draw - Ottawa Fury FC
- Fresno FC at New Mexico United Match Preview - Fresno FC
- Reno Draws in Second Half Thriller to Start 2019 Season - Reno 1868 FC
- North Carolina FC Ushers in New Era with Commanding 4-1 Win over Louisville City FC - North Carolina FC
- Five Inducted into Inaugural Riverhounds SC Hall of Fame Class - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- STLFC Comes Back to Win 2-1 over Indy Eleven - Saint Louis FC
- Hounds Complete Preseason Action - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Memphis 901 FC Acquires Defender Abdi Mohamed on Loan from New York City FC - Memphis 901 FC
- 2019 USL Championship Season Opener: Fresno FC vs. New Mexico United - Fresno FC
- Tacoma Defiance Records 1-0 Victory in Season Opener - Tacoma Defiance
- RGV FC Falls in Season Opener to Tacoma - Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Charleston Battery Stories
- Charleston Battery's Graham Smith Wins USL Championship Defender of the Year Award
- Battery Fall 1-2 to Rhode Island in Eastern Conference Final
- Molloy and Markanich Lift Battery Past Tampa Bay, Advance to Conference Final
- Charleston Battery Unveil 2024 Playoff Kit Ahead of Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
- Nick Markanich Wins 2024 USL Championship Golden Boot

