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Thunder Draw Blank in A-League Championship, Lose 3-0 to Charleston

September 20, 2003 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


CHARLESTON, S.C. (Saturday, September 20, 2003) – The Minnesota Thunder was unable to recover from an early deficit losing 3-0 to the Charleston Battery in the 2003 A-League Championship in front of 5,711 fans at Blackbaud Stadium.

The Thunder could not contain a potent offensive onslaught by the Battery surrendering three first half goals including the game-winner in the 13th minute by midfielder Ted Chronopoulos.

Chronopoulos opened the scoring sending a well-placed shot to the far post from the left flank. Forward Josh Henderson's initial shot attempt was blocked by Thunder defender Mark Schulte but deflected out to Chronopoulos for the go-ahead goal.

Minutes later Charleston took full advantage of a free kick opportunity in the 21st minute. Positioned 20-yards out at the top of the penalty area, forward Paul Conway sent a powerful blast around the Thunder wall into the upper right corner of the goal leaving no save opportunity for Minnesota goalkeeper Joe Warren.

Trailing 2-0 Minnesota attempted to press forward in search of its first goal against the Battery this season. Instead the Thunder fell victim to the third goal of the match for the Battery. From the right flank Conway sent a cross to the head of Henderson whose header attempt deflected off the crossbar in front of the goal where midfielder Steve Klein headed the rebound home into the far side of the net increasing Charleston's lead to 3-0 in the 37th minute.

Minnesota's most dangerous chance came in the eighth minute as Johnny Torres sent a corner kick to the top of the penalty area to midfielder Marco Ferruzzi, who blasted a 20-yard shot, forcing Charleston goalkeeper Dusty Hudock to make a brilliant save.

Although Minnesota continued to mount several attacks throughout the second half the Battery was able to fend off the Thunder by committing to a defensive scheme.

Minnesota fell to the Battery for the second consecutive time this season dropping its all-time record against the Battery to 2-5-0. Minnesota lost at Blackbaud three weeks earlier by the same score.

GAME NOTES:

Minnesota fell to 1-5 overall in the A-League Championships. The team won its lone title in 1999. Charleston claimed its first-ever A-League title.

The home team improved to 13-1 in A-League title matches.

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