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USL-1 Charleston Battery

Battery held by Thunder

April 24, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Charleston Battery News Release


CHARLESTON, SC-The Charleston Battery remains unbeaten on the USL1 season playing the Minnesota Thunder to a 1-1 draw Friday night at Blackbaud Stadium in front of 4,134. Tsuyoshi Yoshitake drew the match level from the penalty spot in the 38th minute after Minnesota forward Leonel St Preux had given Minnesota an early lead.

After going more than 180 minutes without conceding a goal, the Battery's defenses broke down in just the sixth minute. St. Preux put the visitors on the score sheet poking home a Ricardo Sanchez corner kick that somehow found its way across the Battery goalmouth.

The goal, coming against the run of play, was one of only a handful of serious threats Minnesota posed on the night; Minnesota recorded seven shots on Dusty Hudock in the match.

The Battery spent the majority of the night in the attack. Darren Spicer, Tsuyoshi Yoshitake, and Randi Patterson all had chances but were unable to finish their opportunities.

"We've still got some guys who just joined the team and still have to find their form," said assistant coach Mark Watson. "We want to get those three points for a win, but things are coming together. The boys are performing and working hard. There's still more to come from us."

The Battery got on the score sheet for the first time in 2009 thanks to the gritty work of Yoshitake, who gave the Thunder troubles all night. After a give-and-go with Frankie Sanfilippo on the right flank he got a step on Jeremiah Bass, whose lunging tackle brought Yoshitake down just inside the penalty area.

Yoshitake calmly put the spot kick to his left, sending Platter the other way in the 38th minute, netting his first goal since joining the Battery at the beginning of the season.

Only minutes after coming on as a substitute, Randi Patterson nodded home a Yoshitake cross with 15 minutes remaining in the match, only to have the goal annulled by an offside call.

The draw moves the Battery to 0-0-3 (three points) on the season.

"We're still positive," Watson said. "I thought we were the better team. I'd be worried if we weren't creating opportunities. We just need to be a little more clinical in the final third.

The Battery take to the road next Saturday night to face the Miami F.C. Blues (8:00 PM, SPORTS RADIO 1450 AM).

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