On the strength of a dominating opening period, the first-place Charleston Battery defeated the Wilmington Hammerheads by a count of 2-0 Friday at Blackbaud Stadium.
The Battery kept the visiting Hammerheads in check for most of the evening while the offense kept pressure on the Wilmington defense. However, the first goal didn't come until the 41-minute mark of the first half.
Following a Battery corner kick, the Hammerheads half-cleared the ball, which dropped to the feet of Battery outfielder Scott Cannon at the edge of the 18-yard box. Cannon then drove the ball past goalkeeper Walter Valesky (1-3).
In the second period, the Battery continued its dominance. The second score came when midfielder Brian Piesner played the ball to Battery striker Paul Conway at the top of the box. Conway then flicked the ball back to Piesner, who immediately passed back to Conway for his league-leading seventh goal.
The Battery (4-2 overall, 3-0 in Open Cup) continue Open Cup qualification against the Hammerheads today at 7:30 at Blackbaud Stadium. For ticket information, call 971-GOAL. The ticket window opens at noon.
Charleston 2, Wilmington 0
Goals: 41:00 (1st Half) Cannon (1); 59:00 (2nd Half) Conway (7) ; (Piesner).
NOTES
• Should the Battery win its A-League/USL D3 Pro League qualifying group and advance into the U.S. Open Cup, the club would start its bid in the second round (round of 32) on June 27.
The one-off tournament's first round - four amateur games between USL Premier Development League and USASA teams - is set for June 13.
Other U.S. Open Cup dates: Third Round, July 11 (8 matches); Quarterfinals, July 24; Semifinals, Aug. 22; Championship Match, Oct. 27.
• Battery forward Paul Conway led the A-League in total points (13) and goals (5) heading into this Friday's play. The Charlotte Eagles' Dustin Swinehart ranked second in both categories (5 G, 10 TP, 5 GP).
• The Wilmington Hammerheads are 1-3 (4 points) in the USL D3 Pro League wars after last Saturday night's 2-1 overtime home win over the New Jersey Stallions.
Coach David Irving's team currently stands third in the four-team Southern Conference. First is the Carolina Dynamo (10 points).
• Two former Battery players helped Major League Soccer's New England Revolution to its first two wins of the season within the last week.
Defender Alan Woods, Charleston's 2000 Rookie of the Year out of Clemson, and midfielder Braeden Cloutier both started in the Revs' 2-1 OT win over the Chicago Fire last Saturday and in Wednesday's 2-1 home win over the Columbus Crew.
