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USL Charleston Battery

Battery Hold on for 3-2 Victory

August 13, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charleston Battery News Release


Charleston, SC- Jose Cuevas scored a penalty kick and added 2 assists to help the Charleston Battery defeat Orange County Blues FC 3-2 on Wednesday night at Blackbaud Stadium in front of 2,988.

"You're always nervous after what happened (last Friday night in a late draw with Dayton) and the guys were thinking about it a little bit," said head coach Mike Anhaeuser about the victory. "We didn't want to sit back. We wanted to score goals but defend the lead. We did that tonight and got the three points."

The win moved Charleston in at least temporary possession of eighth place and the final playoff spot in USL PRO.

Dane Kelly opened the scoring for Charleston in the 17 th minute. The play began when midfielder Jarad van Schaik sent a cross into the box and midfielder Jose Cuevas used his head to flick the ball on to Kelly. Kelly then used his right foot to poke the ball past the Orange County goalkeeper to make the game 1-0.

Kelly contributed to the second goal of the game when he took a shot from just outside of the box and forced a handball in the box by Orange County. Cuevas stepped up to take the penalty and calmly buried the kick in the left side of the net to make the game 2-0 in the 34 th minute.

Orange County cut into the Charleston lead in the closing minutes of the second half. A ball played from the Orange County back line caught the Charleston back line off guard and midfielder Alex Martinez chased the ball down. Charleston goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper charged out to defend the play but was easily beaten by Martinez, who calmly put the ball in goal to make the score 2-1 heading into halftime.

Kelly and Cuevas connected again in the second half to increase the Charleston lead in the 65 th minute. Charleston was awarded a free-kick just outside of the box on the left side and Cuevas stepped up to take it. Cuevas played a ball that looked like it might go in, but Kelly was taking no chances and headed the ball in from 5 yards out to make the score 3-1.

Cuevas' two assists were his first since joining the Battery on July 15 and his goal was his second of the year, both penalty kicks. Kelly's two goals gave him five goals in the last five games.

"If Dane and I are scoring, then we are doing something right," said Cuevas about his connection with Kelly. "He's grown as a player and I feel like we have a good connection that we can take into the playoffs."

The Blues would not go down easy and grabbed a second goal in the 75 th minute. Substitutes Thomas Garner and Seung Ju Kim were able to produce the goal when Garner possessed a ball in the midfield and found a cutting Kim behind the Charleston back line. Kim beat Cooper with ease to cut the Charleston lead to one.

C harleston was able to diffuse any threats after they allowed the second goal and held on for the 3-2 win.

Charleston now has 29 points with a record of 7-8-8, while Orange County Blues FC stays at 27 points with a record of 9-15-0.

Charleston wraps up a three-match home stand on Friday, August 15 against the Rochester Rhinos at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina at 7:30 P.M.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 13, 2014


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