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USL-1 Charleston Battery

Seattle Tops Charleston

June 7, 2007 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Charleston Battery News Release


CHARLESTON, SC-It was just one of those nights. After a lackluster fist-half performance the Battery came to life in the second half but fell to the Seattle Sounders 2-1 Thursday night at Blackbaud Stadium.

Ian Bennett netted his first goal in Battery stripes in the 73rd minute, pulling the Battery out from a two-goal deficit. Following Bennett's goal the Battery continued to pressure the Sounders goal, hitting the crossbar, and forcing Sounder goalkeeper Ben Dragavon to make several fine saves to keep the Seattle victory in hand.

After an uneventful opening 30 minutes, Seattle got on the board against the run of play, just as the Battery were finally beginning to settle down. Seattle's Nathan Knox opened the scoring in the 37th minute, coming up with the ball after a scrum in the Battery penalty area. Knox beat one Battery defender and slotted the ball past a helpless Dusty Hudock to give the Sounders the lead.

After the break the Battery came out playing more inspired soccer in the second half. But after failing to connect on several near chances, Seattle once again capitalized against the run of play.

With Battery numbers forward, Seattle took advantage of the space created in the midfield on a quick counter pushing the ball wide to Kevin Sakuda on the right flank. Sukuda's out-swinging cross found a lightly marked Greg Howes inside the six yard box. Howes easily nodded home what would prove to be the winning goal.

At two goals down, the Battery continued to press. Coach Mike Anhaeuser's offensive minded substitutions paid off with the insertion of Bennett in the 59th minute.

After several more near misses, the Battery finally pulled the score to within one in the 73rd minute. With the Sounders defense pinned in their own penalty area, Bennett jumped on the end of a loose ball and slammed home a vicious right-footed blast. Dragavon managed to get a hand on the ball, but it wasn't enough to keep the ball out of the net.

After Bennett's goal, the Battery continued to press for an equalizer, and were it not for the crossbar and the strong performance by Dragavon, would have.

Stephen Armstrong slammed a free kick squarely off the crossbar from 19 yards out in the 78th minute. Five minutes later, substitute Aaron King was robbed by Dragavon off a Byron Alvarez corner kick.

The loss drops the Battery to 3-3-3. Their next league game is June 15 at Montreal.

On Saturday the Battery face Village United of the Jamaican Premier League in an International Exhibition at Blackbaud Stadium. Open Cup play begins on Tuesday when the Battery host the Central Florida Kraze. Kickoff for both games is at 7:30 p.m.

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