CHARLESTON, SC - The Charleston Battery broke their four-game winning streak tonight, and lost their second game of the season. They played against the Boston Bulldogs in an exciting game at Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island.

The loss came as a surprise to fans since they watched the Battery dominate the majority of the game. The Battery played great soccer, but were eventually relegated to paying the harsh price for missing numerous opportunities to score.

In the first key opportunity for Charleston, Nicky Spooner sent a beautiful defense-splitting pass to Mike Burke. Burke (one-on-one with the keeper) seemed sure for goal, but was not able to control the bouncing ball before Boston’s Steve Nicol could clear it. Not too long after, in the first of seldom attacks by the Bulldogs, Mark Vita made the first threatening shot on the Battery’s goal. Hudock easily saved the shot, and through the ball quickly back into play.

The Battery continued to miss more chances, and they tried to step up their offense even more. Dean Sewell gave the Bulldogs a lot of trouble on the right flank. He brought excitement to the game with his spirited play and the crowd roared every time he received the ball. He sent a number of dangerous crosses into the box, and took a pounding from Boston’s Mark Vita (who was obviously getting very frustrated with Sewell).

The most exciting period for the home crowd came in the 31st minute. Boston’s Steve Nicol tried to play the ball across the top of his defense, but it was cunningly intercepted by Mike Burke. Burke crossed the ball into the box for Turner, who laid the ball off quickly for Conway. Conway was not able to compose himself for such a hard pass, and shot over the bar of the goal.

The Bulldogs were outplayed and outgunned, and the crowd began to sing lustily in support of the Battery. However, in what turned out to be a disappointing turn of events, Boston went a goal up in the 38th minute. The Bulldogs’ Calvert London was able to get a shot at goal. The shot was not completely on target, but it rebounded from the far post and deflected off of the Battery’s John Wilson. Silence and gloom fell on “The Baud” as the crowd watched the ball roll agonizingly into the goal. This gave the Bulldogs the lead, and the Battery tried excessively to score an equalizer to no avail before the halftime whistle.

After the resumption, the Bulldogs were the ones to apply the early pressure. They seemed motivated by the previous goal, and were rewarded with a second in the 50th minute. Carlos Richa found the net this time because in a moment of confusion, he was left unmarked and unchallenged in the goal box.

The Battery looked disorganized and out of sync as they adjusted to the shock of being 2 goals down. However, the fans did not give up on the home team. They cheered them on, and encouraged the Battery to fight again.

The Battery lifted their heads, and responded with a series of attacks on Boston’s goal. They were rewarded for their endeavors with a goal in the 60th minute. Rashad Miller slammed the ball into the goal, thanks to a foiled shot by Todd Miller.

The goal excited the team, and pace of the game changed dramatically. The Battery did their best to level the playing field, and they through everything into attack except the kitchen sink (figuratively). The crowd looked on in anticipation while the Bulldogs faced a fierce and fast-running Battery barrage. The Battery pounded the Bulldog defense over and over again. But while the Bulldogs looked scrappy at times, they did not bend nor break.

In an attempt to ignite the offense, Alfredo Anderson took to the field for the first time this season. His presence helped spur more spirited attacks, but it was unfortunately too late for Charleston. While they outplayed the Bulldogs and certainly looked like the better team, this was not enough. They suffered in the end as they lost 2-1 to the Bulldogs.

Scoring Summary:

Scoring:
Charleston Battery: Wilson (Own goal – 38th), R. Miller (60th).
Boston Bulldogs: Rocha (50th).

CHARLESTON BATTERY– Hudock, T. Miller, Limniatis, Jean-Baptiste, Wilson, Sewell (Anderson), Spooner (Mekelburg), Conway, Brownell (R. Miller), Burke, Turner (Akin).

SHOTS: 14; FOULS: 11; SAVES: 4; OFFSIDES: 1; CORNERS: 9; CAUTIONS: 2; EJECTIONS: 0.

BOSTON BULLDOGS– Latronica, Daley, Nicol, Compton, Bradley (Lujan), Poltl, Vita (Ndlovu), Wheeler, Ceccarelli (Simpson), London (Kerr), Richa.

SHOTS: 8; FOULS: 12; SAVES: 5; OFFSIDES: 1; CORNERS: 7; CAUTIONS: 1; EJECTIONS: 0.

Attendance: 3,548

Weather: Warm and clear

Referee: Todd Perry

Referee's Assistants: Ronnie Canales, Christopher Sculthorpe