Thunder draws with Battery

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


CHARLESTON, NC (June 20, 2008) - The Thunder tied the Charleston Battery tonight at Blackbaud Stadium, giving them one more point to add to their record. The two goals were scored within two minutes of each other, keeping the rest of the game open for opportunity. Ricardo Sanchez scored the lone goal for the Thunder in the 57th minute. The Thunder play their next set of league matches against the Puerto Rico Islanders on June 27 and 29.

The Thunder started off with an automatic advantage; the Battery were without their leading scorer, Randi Patterson. However, the Battery stayed strong without their scorer, and held the Thunder off to a 1-1 draw. The Battery and Thunder earned one point each, doing nothing to shake the First Division standings.

The game started off even for both teams, with defense at the forefront of their consciousness. Both teams only let off one shot on goal each in the first half. Stephen deRoux had another very strong game for the Thunder, keeping the pressure on offensively, as well as working the sideline wisely. In the 22nd minute Sanchez found deRoux on a free kick, but deRoux got caught up with the Battery keeper and couldn't find the net.

The Battery's most dangerous play came in the 34th minute off a shot from Aaron King. A Battery midfielder beat deRoux and passed it off to King who took a long shot from 55 yards out that went just barely over the Thunder net. It was a reality check for the Thunder that the Battery was still a strong competitor without Patterson.

The second half brought about a lot more offensive play from both teams. In the 56th minute, Charleston got on the board. A perfectly placed cross from Chris Williams found the head of Lazo Alavanja and went just past Nic Platter's gloves. It was 1-0 Charleston, but not for long.

The Thunder bounced back from their one goal deficit, by scoring in the 57th minute. Sanchez earned his third goal of the season off an outstanding bending ball from 25 yards out. The ball found the upper left corner, putting the Thunder right back in the game.

The Battery attempted to counter in the 60th minute off a shot from King. King's shot hit the post and bounced over to another Battery striker, who couldn't get a foot on it. Kevin Taylor was there to clear, keeping the game even at 1-1.

The next 30 minutes were very strong for Thunder keeper Platter. Platter stopped four very dangerous plays that kept the Thunder in the game. deRoux had another defensive play that saved the game in the 64th minute. The Battery was on a breakaway and after a well placed pass to Alonso Osvaldo, deRoux was there to slid in and free the ball up for the Thunder.

The Thunder kept pushing for more offensive plays, but couldn't seem to find the back of the net. After three unsuccessful corner kicks, the game ended and the Thunder earned yet another tie against a tough team. The Thunder switches gears over to the U.S. Open Cup second round on Tuesday, June 24 against Godfrey Tenoff and the Cleveland City Stars. Kickoff is at 6pm. The Thunder return to league action on June 27 and 29 in a two game road trip against the Puerto Rico Islanders.

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USL First Division Stories from June 20, 2008


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