Saturday, August 20, 2011
Battery v. Orlando
Play offs. Get it done Charleston!
Audio only stream available at www.charlestonbattery.com
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Goals Galore and Back to Orlando
Friday night the Battery had to win the match and win they did. Notching a season high four goals in a "do or die" match against Charlotte certainly showed what they Battery can do offensively. All season you could see that several players look like they were going to break down the curse this season and rack up some goals but it never came. Surprisingly though the most spectacular goals came from someone who normally plays on the back line, Mike Zaher.
It's been said that Zaher's move from the defense into the midfield was the call of Battery Owner, Tony Bakker, and whether it was Zaher wanting to prove himself, Charlotte being unprepared for him in that position or the fact Zaher just thought "what the heck, I'm going for it," it all culminated into two of the nicest goals seen at Blackbaud this season.
Add a goal each from Zach Prince and Dane Kelly, the Battery seemed to be in the driver seats. hat is until the 90th minute when two Charlotte goals in stoppage time made the score line 4-3 in favor of the Battery but left more than a few people apprehensive about the outcome. And 4-3 was the final and the Battery were more than relieved to hear the final whistle.
With the win, the Battery were also the crowned Southern Derby Cup winners. The cup was promptly filled with Guinness and the players and fans celebrated the victory.
Sunday saw the Regiment annual Player Appreciation Picnic. This year was a great turn out with tons of food, tons of people and off course the return of the infamous egg toss. Last years champion Levi Coleman was looking to retain his title this year and quickly chose the same partner as last year. After several round the final two were down to Levi Coleman and Nicki Paterson with their team mates. Nicki launched a long toss that his 4 year old partner couldnt track down, cracking the egg. All Coleman had to do was launch and easy one for his partner, Director of ticket Sales for the Battery, Suzanne Sudzina, but the egg broke on the catch. Levi and Nicki will have to share the title this year.
The boys now travel to Orlando to take on the Lions for the fifth time this season. the Battery have only won one of the last four but will be looking for the win this Saturday night to advance toward the Championship match.
Spirits are high in the Battery camp. The past contest with Orlando City have been very close and the results could have been different with a lucky bounce or a favorable call from the referee. There is a small contingent of Battery fans traveling down for the match but for those unable to make the trip, the match will be on USLlive and via the Battery radio network.
Up the Battery!!!
Add a goal each from Zach Prince and Dane Kelly, the Battery seemed to be in the driver seats. hat is until the 90th minute when two Charlotte goals in stoppage time made the score line 4-3 in favor of the Battery but left more than a few people apprehensive about the outcome. And 4-3 was the final and the Battery were more than relieved to hear the final whistle.
With the win, the Battery were also the crowned Southern Derby Cup winners. The cup was promptly filled with Guinness and the players and fans celebrated the victory.
Sunday saw the Regiment annual Player Appreciation Picnic. This year was a great turn out with tons of food, tons of people and off course the return of the infamous egg toss. Last years champion Levi Coleman was looking to retain his title this year and quickly chose the same partner as last year. After several round the final two were down to Levi Coleman and Nicki Paterson with their team mates. Nicki launched a long toss that his 4 year old partner couldnt track down, cracking the egg. All Coleman had to do was launch and easy one for his partner, Director of ticket Sales for the Battery, Suzanne Sudzina, but the egg broke on the catch. Levi and Nicki will have to share the title this year.
The boys now travel to Orlando to take on the Lions for the fifth time this season. the Battery have only won one of the last four but will be looking for the win this Saturday night to advance toward the Championship match.
Spirits are high in the Battery camp. The past contest with Orlando City have been very close and the results could have been different with a lucky bounce or a favorable call from the referee. There is a small contingent of Battery fans traveling down for the match but for those unable to make the trip, the match will be on USLlive and via the Battery radio network.
Up the Battery!!!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Back in the Hunt!
After a couple weeks in Jolly Ole England, No Quarter is back at would looks like the biggest match of the year for the Battery this Friday night!
After Charleston's disappointing run their last three matches ( losses to 1-0 Rochester, 1-0 Orlando and 2-1 Orlando) and Charlotte strong finish to the season, Charlotte could have wrapped up the final playoff spot in the American Division Wednesday night when they played Harrisburg City Islanders. Thankfully for Battery fans, Harrisburg scored in the 87th minute to give the City Islanders a 1-0 win and leaving the final playoff spot still there to be claimed in the final match of the season when Charleston goes head to head with Charlotte Friday night.
And that set up that must have the USL brass smiling. The head to head, winner takes the final playoff spot scenario is televised on live on Fox Soccer Channel nationwide. A season finale, showcasing two local rivals, in one of the premier soccer stadiums in the United States with what looks to be a packed crowd. A better script couldn't have been written.
And if that isn't enough it is also the final match of the Southern Derby Cup. Charleston will win the fan based cup with a win or a draw. Charlotte will in it if they score more than 3 goals and Wilmington will claim the title with a Charlotte win with less than a 2 goal margin.
Charlotte will advance to the post season with a win or a draw. As mentioned, they lost their latest match against Harrisburg but with favorable results in two tough road matches, Charlotte pulled itself out of the bottom of the table and have become a contender late in the season. Knowing a draw will put them through, the Battery will have to press hard throughout the match to get the result they need.
Charleston is going in feeling a bit unlucky as the there have been several matches where the team has out played its opponent but not gotten the result. It comes as no surprise that lack of goals is the primary issue for the club this year. Charleston have yet to score more than two goals per match and only the Dayton Dutch Lions have scored as few goals at the Battery (20 so far) and the Lions have only won two matches this season.
Hopefully there will be a goal glut for the Battery as they push for the post season. JC Mack looks like he will still be unavailable for the match with his ankle injury and Johnny Wilson will be sitting this one out due to a red card suspension he picked up in the dying moments the Orlando match. Also it appears Kelly may have tweaked his ankle during practice but it sounds like he should be fine for the match.
Finally, a big thanks to the CoachGT and Toronto FC's Red Patch Boys who brought down a banner they made as a gesture of thanks for the Regiment and the Battery's hospitality over the years during the Carolina Challenge Cup. Looks awesome Coach and we appreciate it very much!
Up the Battery!!!
After Charleston's disappointing run their last three matches ( losses to 1-0 Rochester, 1-0 Orlando and 2-1 Orlando) and Charlotte strong finish to the season, Charlotte could have wrapped up the final playoff spot in the American Division Wednesday night when they played Harrisburg City Islanders. Thankfully for Battery fans, Harrisburg scored in the 87th minute to give the City Islanders a 1-0 win and leaving the final playoff spot still there to be claimed in the final match of the season when Charleston goes head to head with Charlotte Friday night.
And that set up that must have the USL brass smiling. The head to head, winner takes the final playoff spot scenario is televised on live on Fox Soccer Channel nationwide. A season finale, showcasing two local rivals, in one of the premier soccer stadiums in the United States with what looks to be a packed crowd. A better script couldn't have been written.
And if that isn't enough it is also the final match of the Southern Derby Cup. Charleston will win the fan based cup with a win or a draw. Charlotte will in it if they score more than 3 goals and Wilmington will claim the title with a Charlotte win with less than a 2 goal margin.
Charlotte will advance to the post season with a win or a draw. As mentioned, they lost their latest match against Harrisburg but with favorable results in two tough road matches, Charlotte pulled itself out of the bottom of the table and have become a contender late in the season. Knowing a draw will put them through, the Battery will have to press hard throughout the match to get the result they need.
Charleston is going in feeling a bit unlucky as the there have been several matches where the team has out played its opponent but not gotten the result. It comes as no surprise that lack of goals is the primary issue for the club this year. Charleston have yet to score more than two goals per match and only the Dayton Dutch Lions have scored as few goals at the Battery (20 so far) and the Lions have only won two matches this season.
Hopefully there will be a goal glut for the Battery as they push for the post season. JC Mack looks like he will still be unavailable for the match with his ankle injury and Johnny Wilson will be sitting this one out due to a red card suspension he picked up in the dying moments the Orlando match. Also it appears Kelly may have tweaked his ankle during practice but it sounds like he should be fine for the match.
Up the Battery!!!
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