USL-1 Charleston Battery

Battery ties Thunder

Published on June 20, 2008 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Charleston Battery News Release


Charleston, SC. The Charleston Battery tied 1-1 with the Minnesota Thunder Friday night at Blackbaud Stadium in front of 4,927. The Battery opened the scoring with a headed finish from Lazo Alavanja in the 55th minute but Minnesota midfielder Rico Sanchez blasted the Thunder back level with a fine goal two minutes later.

The game started slowly and the first real chance didn't come until the 30th minute. Alavanja worked himself into a shooting position just outside the box but his right-footed strike was saved by goalkeeper Nick Platter.

Five minutes later Alavanja almost brought the house down as he fired a shot at goal from the half-way line. Platter scrambled to get back into position and watched gratefully as the ball landed on the top of the goal.

Just after half time the Battery pressed again and forward Aaron King saw his shot saved at the near-post.

The breakthrough came midway through the second period with a well worked move down the right side. The ball was played out to winger Chris Williams who lifted a cross into the middle. Alavanja met the ball as it came in and snapped a header down past Platter into the goal.

The lead held for less than two minutes as Minnesota fought back. Ricardo Sanchez found himself in space twenty yards out and hammered a swerving shot into the far corner of the goal as Battery goalkeeper Dusty Hudock dove across in vain.

Both teams had chances as the game wore on with Alavanja coming closest when he ran onto to a pass just inside the box. Platter was off his line quickly and just managed to parry the ball away before the Battery forward could apply the finish.

The Battery are back in action Tuesday night at Blackbaud Stadium with a US Open Cup match versus the Charlotte Eagles; gates open at 6:30 - kick off 7:30.

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USL First Division Stories from June 20, 2008


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