USL Charleston Battery

Battery Extends Unbeaten Streak with Draw in Cary

August 4, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charleston Battery News Release


The Charleston Battery extended its unbeaten streak to nine games with a 0-0 draw against North Carolina FC at WakeMed Soccer Park Saturday night.

The Battery continued its strong defensive form, earning its third straight clean sheet. Joe Kuzminsky made five saves in the match to earn his ninth shutout of the season, giving him the second-most clean sheets in the USL.

Ataulla Guerra created the Battery's best scoring opportunity of the match midway through the first half. Jarad van Schaik found Guerra with a pass at the top of the penalty area. Guerra turned and hit a right footed shot that fizzed just wide of Alex Tambakis' far post.

Kuzminsky's best stop came minutes after Guerra's near miss when he denied Kyle Bekker from close range. North Carolina FC played a long ball in to Daniel Rios at the top of the Battery's 18-yard box. Rios nodded the ball back across to Bekker who hit a volley on frame, but Kuzminsky reacted well to keep out the effort.

Both sides came out searching for the go-ahead goal early in the second half, but neither could convert. North Carolina came closest to scoring when Steven Miller put a shot on frame from 20 yards out, but his deflected effort pinged off the crossbar and stayed out.

The two sides, who have split points in both matches this season, will meet for the third and final time on Wednesday, September 26 at MUSC Health Stadium.

The Battery will remain on the road following the draw in Cary. Charleston will head to Tampa for a midweek match with the Rowdies on August 8 before returning home to take on Atlanta United 2 on Saturday, August 11.

CHARLESTON - Joe Kuzminsky, Skylar Thomas, Taylor Mueller, Neveal Hackshaw, O'Brian Woodbine (Jay Bolt, 70), Tah Brian Anunga, Angelo Kelly, Jarad van Schaik, Kotaro Higashi, Nico Rittmeyer (Gordon Wild, 74), Ataulla Guerra (yellow card, 44; Victor Mansaray, 90+3)

Substitutes - Odisnel Cooper, Ryan Arambula, Vincenzo Candela, Patrick Okonkwo

NORTH CAROLINA - Alex Tambakis; Aaron Guillen, Michael Harrington (Wuilito Fernandes, 63), Connor Tobin, DJ Taylor (Marios Lomis, 90); Steven Miller, Austin da Luz, Graham Smith, Kyle Bekker, Donovan Ewolo (Tiyi Shipalane, 70); Daniel Rios

Substitutes - Austin Guerrero, Peabo Doue, Dre Fortune, Marcel Kandziora

Check out the Charleston Battery Statistics



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