USL-1 Charleston Battery

Charleston held scoreless by Rochester, faces Puerto Rico in playoff series

Published on September 10, 2006 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Charleston Battery News Release


Charleston, SC. The Charleston Battery was held to a 0-0 tie by the Rochester Rhinos Sunday night at Blackbaud Stadium in front of 4,311. The tie clinches third position for the Battery who now face Puerto Rico next weekend in the first round of the playoffs in a two-match aggregate score series.

Charleston will host the Islanders at Blackbaud Stadium next Friday night, kick off is set for 7:30 PM; the second game will be played Sunday night in Puerto Rico (kick off TBD).

Dusty Hudock recorded three saves to preserve the shut-out in his 199th career start for the Charleston Battery. With the tie Rochester finishes the season in 2nd position and receives a bye through the first-round of the playoffs.

"Rochester came down here trying not to lose", said Charleston Battery head coach Mike Anhaeuser. "We had several chances but couldn't convert any of our counter-attacks".

The Battery started brightly and came close to scoring in the 2nd minute. Defender Tim Karalexis launched a long throw into the box from the right side. Forward Stephen Armstrong set the ball back to Gavin Glinton who fired at the goal forcing Rochester goalkeeper Scott Vallow to make a diving save.

The Rhinos responded moments later as the ball was swept across to the back post from the flank. Midfielder Rey Martinez snapped a header down that flew into the side-netting.

In the 12th minute Rochester striker Matt Delicate slipped behind the Battery defense latching on to a neat through-ball from midfielder Johnny Steele. Hudock charged off his line to cut down the angle and as Delicate shot he dropped quickly to his left and made a blocking save.

Five minutes later Stephen Armstrong controlled the ball at the edge of the box after it was half-cleared by Rochester. Armstrong pulled the ball onto his left foot and drove in a low shot that skipped just wide of the right post.

In the 35th minute the Battery players appealed for a penalty-kick claiming that Rhinos defender Kenny Betz handled the ball as Ben Hollingsworth chipped into the box. The ball appeared to glance off Bert's arm but the referee waived play on.

Just before the hour mark Charleston were awarded a free-kick just outside the box after defender Ricky Lewis was called for a hand-ball. Armstrong lifted a cross into the middle but Glinton's header was saved on the line by Vallow.

Former Battery midfielder John Ball was subbed in the 60th minute and almost broke the dead-lock ten minutes later. Ball ripped a right-footed strike on target but Hudock managed to tip the ball around the post with a fingertip save.

The final chance of the game fell to Charleston in the 85th minute. Armstrong crossed again, this time from the left side, picking out Hollingsworth in the box. Hollingsworth met the cross but his header rose over the bar.

The winner of the Charleston Battery Puerto Rico playoff series advances to play Rochester in a semifinal home and home series. The Vancouver Whitecaps and Miami FC play in the other first round playoff series; the winner of that game will take on the Montreal Impact.

Check out the Charleston Battery Statistics



USL First Division Stories from September 10, 2006


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