RICHMOND, VA. - The Charleston Battery's A-League playoff run ended in a 3-1 loss to the Richmond Kickers before 2,043 at U of R Stadium on Sunday night.
The game was the second leg of the two-match A-League Eastern Conference semifinal series. Richmond (14-10-4 overall), which won the aggregate score series 4-3, advances to face the defending league champion Rochester Raging Rhinos in the conference finals.
The Battery won Friday's series opener 2-1 at Blackbaud Stadium on Daniel Island.
The Battery (20-4-6 overall) scored the first goal of the match in the third minute. Mac Cozier headed home a shot from six yards out off Ryan Trout's free kick from 23 yards out on the left side.
Richmond answered with three goals before halftime. Josh Henderson, Kevin Jeffrey and David Hayes supplied the Kickers' goal.
In the eighth minute, Henderson got by his defender, turned and fired a left-footed shot past Battery keeper Dusty Hudock. Jeffrey had an assist.
It was 2-0 in the 22nd minute, when Hayes crossed the ball into the middle of the 6-yard box, where Jeffrey headed the ball in from two yards out.
Richmond's decisive third goal came in the 36th minute. Henderson flicked to the outside flank for Hayes, and Hayes shot just over Hudock's outstretched glove.
After the break, Battery coach Chris Ramsey switched to a 3-4-3 formation. But despite constant pressure, the Battery could not find the goal.
The Battery finished with a 12-10 edge in shots. Kickers keeper Ronnie Pascale made six saves, and Hudock was credited with three.
It was the sixth game of the year between the rival clubs. Charleston had won four and tied one before Sunday's loss.
Richmond will play host to Rochester on Thursday in the first leg of the conference finals.
