0-1 min. 54 Stephen Armstrong-CHA
Attendance: 8,795
BAYAMON, PR - A thunderous free kick from Stephen Armstrong was enough for the Charleston Battery to beat the Puerto Rico Islanders 1-0 and eliminate them from the playoffs.
Despite the fact that the Islanders had more significant scoring chances during the game, a surprising blast from Armstrong, about 40 yards away from goal, in the 54th minute gave the visiting Battery the victory. The ball barely deflected on a player and flew past Islander goalie Dan Kennedy and into the nets.
Both teams played attractive soccer in the first half, despite the scoreless tie at halftime. Ian Fuller of Charleston hit the crossbar in the 18th minute. Arturo Norambuena of the Islanders had various scoring opportunities and came closest in the 29th minute when he almost headed cleanly a fantastic cross from Gustavo Barros Schelotto, who had to leave the game injured in the 39th minute.
By the end of the first half Puerto Rico seemed to have taken control of the game, and could have taken the lead at various moments; until Armstrong executed brilliantly his free kick.
From that point on Charleston went into total defensive mode while Puerto Rico kept the attack coming. Marco Velez could have tied the match in the 69th minute, but his header off a Petter Villegas cross went just a few inches over the crossbar. Noah Delgado and Alan Marcina tried on separate shots to tie it up but the Battery defense proved too strong and the game ended with the 1-0 score.
The Charleston Battery now faces the Rochester Raging Rhinos in the USL 1st Division semifinals, while the Puerto Rico Islanders end their best season in their short history and continue their ascending trend.
