Charleston SC. The Charleston Battery welcomes the Minnesota Thunder to Blackbaud Stadium Saturday for the final game of the regular season; kick off is set for 7:30 pm. The Battery enters the game in first place in the Southeast Division (14-7-6, 49 points) with a playoff berth secured. The Thunder are also a first place team leading the Central Division (17-8-1, 52 points) and are also playoff bound.
Charleston Battery Head Coach, Chris Ramsey,
"It will be interesting to see the quality of the first place team in the Western Conference. We know they have quality players but it is important that we enter the game with the right attitude in order to secure a positive result and keep everybody healthy ahead of the playoffs."
This is the first time these two teams have met since the 1998 season when Minnesota defeated the Battery by a score of three goals to none.
Minnesota is led by 10th year Head Coach, Buzz Lagos. Lagos co-founded the Thunder in 1990 with current Charlotte Eagles GM, Tom Engstrom. Since joining the USL seven years ago Lagos has won the A-League Championship (1999) and steered the Thunder to the Championship game on four occasions.
The Thunder roster includes former Charleston Battery midfielder, Kevin Anderson who joined Minnesota during the off-season.
Soccer Ball Giveaway Night
Its soccer ball giveaway night at Blackbaud on Saturday brought to you by Piggly Wiggly and the first 1000 children through the turnstiles will receive a free Charleston Battery soccer ball. Gates open at 5:30 pm with kick off set for 7:30 pm. Tickets are priced at $6 - $12 and can be purchased by calling 971-GOAL or online at www.charlestonbattery.com.
2003 Playoffs - Battery vs Mariners
The Charleston Battery will play the Virginia Beach Mariners in the Southeast Division Finals, the first round of the 2003 A-League playoffs. The Battery travels to Virginia Beach for the first of the two-match home-and-home series, Friday, September 5; kick off 7:30 pm. Both teams will return to Blackbaud Stadium for the second game, Sunday, September 7; kick off is set for 6:00 pm.
The division and conference finals are both aggregate-score series. If the game is tied after the second 90 minute match the teams will play 2 x 15 minute periods of "golden-goal" overtime. If the game is still tied after overtime the winner will be determined by FIFA penalty kicks.
Tickets
Tickets for the playoffs are on sale now priced at $8 - $15. Three Lions Club members receive complimentary tickets to all post-season games while 2003 season ticket holders receive a $2 discount on their playoff tickets. Season tickets holders must purchase their seats before 5 pm on Wednesday, September 3. To purchase tickets or for more information call 971-GOAL / www.charlestonbattery.com.
For More Information, Contact:
Andrew Bell, Media Director.
(843) 971-GOAL
(843) 670-2408 (cell)
Fax - (843) 856-6958
Andrew.Bell@CharlestonBattery.com
