More than 3,000 fans braved the torrential downpour to witness the Charleston Battery defeat the Hampton Roads Mariners 2-0 at Blackbaud Stadium in the Battery's final game of the regular season.
It was Fan Appreciation Night at Blackbaud and the gates opened up an hour early. The players were available for autographs and of course, the $1.00 beers were available for an hour longer. But the rain that caused flooding throughout the area the day before, held off until minutes before kick off. And then it came like a wall, visibly approaching from the distance and hitting the 'Baud like tidal wave. It's a good thing the Battery was selling all their merchandise at the pro shop for 20% off. I know a lot of people that went home with new Battery umbrellas and ponchos.
Much like the rain that pelted the field for the first half, the Battery pressured a much-improved Hampton Roads and controlled a majority of the match. The first test on goal was by newly returned Seamus Donnelly. He volleyed a cross yards from the goalmouth only to see it just cross over the top of the goal. Evans also had a good shot on goal that went just wide of the target.
But In the 42nd minute, Conway took a ball down the sideline of the field, beating a couple Mariners on the way, and sent a wonderful cross across the goal to Ryan Trout who was waiting at the far post and headed the ball through the hands of the Mariners keeper.
During the break, the Battery announced the results of the Fan Survey. Paul Conway received Offensive Player of the Year, local favorite John Wilson won Defensive Player of the Year, Mark Watson took home Newcomer of the Year and Dusty Hudock won the MVP award, all were very deserving of the awards but they could have named three of four other players that I wouldn't have disputed either. High quality players, the ability to adapt to different positions, and playing as a team have been the key to the Battery success this year. Congratulations not only to all the winners, but to the entire team as well.
The second half started and the rain stopped. Again the quality of the pitch was seen by the fact you could see very little water standing on the playing surface, but the wet grass made for a quick and slick surface for the ball. Hampton Roads showed that they had improved vastly since the beginning of the season, passing the ball around confidently and creating a few scoring chances.
But like the first half, the Battery seemed to half control of the pace. Paul Conway added to the assist earlier in the night with a goal in the 62nd minute. After a goalmouth scramble in which the Mariners failed to clear the ball, Conway was there to tap the ball in.
The Battery now have a chance to rest before entering the championship race, with Anderson, Klein, and Edwards all looking to be back in time for the playoffs. Coach Ramsey finally looks to have a full roster and well-rested players, something he rarely had all season long. The Battery has always looked strong but with the beginning of the playoffs, the Battery has potential the strongest it has been all year.
Players
Dusty Hudock (Todd Hoffard 82), Terry Phelan, Mark Watson (Rob Vartughian 86), Collin Phillips, Kyle Swords, John Jones, Seamus Donnelly (Matt Farris 62), Morgan Zeba, Justin Evans, Paul Conway (Raul Diaz Arce 68), Ryan Trout (Mac Cozier 78)
Players Not Used -
SHOTS: 17 (Evans 3); SAVES: 2 (Hudock 2); FOULS: 13 (Zeba 3); CORNER KICKS: 13; OFFSIDES: 9; PENALTY KICKS: (NONE); CAUTIONS: Phillips 10; EJECTIONS: (NONE)
Players
Matt Nelson, Kevin Knott, Ian Checcio, Darren Warham, Russell Hutchinson, Aaron Lujan (Daniel Alvarez 67), Jerome Mcarthy (Cecil Lewisc 81), Cristof Lindenmeyer (David King 78), Guillermo Henriques (Ricardo Villar 62), Darrin Lewisd (Brian Fredrick 58), Gary Brooks
Players Not Used - Joe Larson
SHOTS: 7 (Mcarthy 3); SAVES: 5 (Nelson 5); FOULS: 13 (Hutchinson 5); CORNER KICKS: 7; OFFSIDES: 2; PENALTY KICKS: (NONE); CAUTIONS: Brooks 13, Mcarthy 17, King 85; EJECTIONS: (NONE)
