Charleston, SC. The Charleston Battery came from behind tonight to beat their Eastern Conference rival the Rochester Raging Rhinos by a convincing score of 3 goals to 1. 2,953 vocal Battery fans cheered their heroes on as Charleston overcame a one-goal first half deficit and scored three unanswered goals in the second half. With the win the Battery improves to an overall record of 14 wins, 6 losses and 2 draws.
The game began with both sides very cautiously feeling the other out. Scrappy play early on did not result in any clear chances for either side. In the 27th minute Charleston came close to breaking the deadlock as Todd Miller hit a fierce drive goalward. It was saved by the young Rhino keeper, Scott Vallow. Then in the 41st minute, against the run of play the Rhinos took the lead. Veteran defender Scott Schweitzer whipped a nasty cross to the back post. Midfielder, Martin Nash, took one touch then pushed it past Charleston keeper Dusty Hudock. At half time the score was 1-0 Rochester.
As the second half-began it was clear that Charleston were the more determined side. A number of chances came to nothing then in the 64th minute the Battery got back on level terms. Bulgarian midfielder, Ivailo Ilarianov, made a careening run down the right flank. He dribbled the ball past several Rochester defenders before looking up and passing perfectly to Velko Iotov, waiting in the 18-yard box. Iotov had one defender to beat. He dipped his shoulder and powered past his marker. At full stretch he lashed a shot goalward past the keeper, Vallow.
With the Battery faithful becoming more vocal Charleston pushed forward looking for the win. In the 87th minute Charleston would finally take the lead. Paul Conway spotted an early run from Dean Sewell and he placed a perfectly weighted pass in front of him. Sewell raced into the box and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.
The score was 2-1 to Charleston but the Battery was not done yet. In the last minute of regulation Charleston was awarded a free-kick just outside the box. Ilarianov whipped it into the middle toward target-man Paul Conway. Conway rose above his marker and headed powerfully into the goal. Blackbaud stadium erupted as the crowd realized the match was won. Up next for Charleston is a visit from division rival the Atlanta Silverbacks. The penultimate home game of the season for the Battery kicks off at 7:30 pm at Blackbaud Stadium.
Line Ups: Battery: Hudock, Woods, Spooner, Sancho, Warham, Miller, Sewell, Ilarianov (Akin 89), Cloutier (Alvero 82) Conway, Iotov (Cozier 83).
Rhinos: Vallow, Zavala (Walton 68), Restropo, Schweitzer, Tanner (Daligcon 62), Steenkamp, Allnut, Nash (Ball 54), Glenn (Lowe 69), Sebrango (Stebbins 83).
Shots: Battery; 14, Rhinos; 6.
Saves: Battery; (Hudock) 2, Rhinos; (Vallow) 2.
Fouls: Battery; 11, Rhinos; 15.
Offsides: Battery; 3, Rhinos; 2.
Corners: Battery; 4, Rhinos; 8.
Cautions: Battery; Iotov, Rhinos; Steenkamp, Ball
Ejections: none.
Weather: warm and muggy.
Charleston Battery Man of the Match: Charleston Battery for teamwork.
