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USL-1 Charleston Battery

Battery squares off against Rhinos

May 21, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Charleston Battery News Release


Charleston, SC. The Charleston Battery squares off against the Rochester Rhinos Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium in a top of the table USL1 clash. The Battery (3-0-4, 13 points) is the last remaining unbeaten team in the league and is tied for first place with the Rhinos (4-2-1, 13 points) with both teams having played seven games.

Charleston enters the match on the back of a 1-0 home win versus the Miami FC Blues in a game played on Wednesday night at Blackbaud Stadium. Forward Darren Spicer scored the crucial goal, steering the ball home from a set-piece free-kick in the 77th minute; it was Spicer's first USL1 goal for the Charleston Battery.

Goalkeeper Dusty Hudock recorded three saves en route to his league-leading fifth shut-out of the season; Hudock has allowed just two goals thus far.

The Rochester Rhinos will complete an eight-game road series with Saturday's game in Charleston. Rochester plays its first home game of the season next weekend on May 30 versus Montreal.

Rochester's last match was a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps at Swangaurd Stadium. Chris Nurse and Johnny Menyongar supplied the goals as the Rhinos earned their fourth win of the season.

Former Charleston Battery midfielder John Ball will be unavailable for this Saturday's game as he serves a one-match suspension for points accumulation.

Rochester has tallied a league-high ten goals in seven matches, led by veteran midfielder Johnny Menyongar with four. His four goals and nine points lead all USL-1 players in 2009.

In 2008 the Battery swept a three-game series in the regular season with the Rhinos winning twice at Blackbaud Stadium and once at PaeTek Park in Rochester. The teams met in the first-round of the playoffs and Rochester won the home and home series with a 2-1 aggregate score victory; both sides won their home games. Rochester lost in the semi-finals to the Puerto Rico Islanders.

The Rhinos are led by second-year head coach Darren Tilley; Tilley is a former Rochester player and in his first year in charge guided the Rhinos to an 11-10-9 record in the league plus a third round appearance in the 2008 US Open Cup.

Halfway to Oktoberfest, LIVE OOMPAH

Saturday night features a Halfway to Oktoberfest Celebration with a live multi-piece Oompah band before the game plus bratwurst on the grills and $2 draft beers until kick off; MUSC Sports Medicine is the presenting sponsor. Tickets are available starting at $10, to purchase tickets, for directions or for more information please call (843) 971-GOAL (4625) or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.

Nelson Akwari Honored

Charleston Battery defender Nelson Akwari has been named to the USL Team of the Week following a strong defensive performance in the Battery's 0-0 tie with Montreal last Friday night. A native of Houston, TX, Akwari, 6-0, 180 lbs., has played every minute of the season so far.

Coming up

The Charleston Battery will conclude a three-game home stand next Saturday night (May 30) with a game versus the Cleveland City Stars. Cleveland were the 2008 USL2 champions and were promoted to the USL First Division in 2009.

Saturday, May 23

Charleston Battery vs Rochester Rhinos

Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island

Gates 6:30 - kick off 7:30

$10 - $18, 971-GOAL / Charlestonbattery.com

Saturday, May 30

Charleston Battery vs Cleveland City Stars

Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island

Gates 6:30 - kick off 7:30

$10 - $18, 971-GOAL / Charlestonbattery.com

Check out the Charleston Battery Statistics



USL First Division Stories from May 21, 2009


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