The Charleston Battery defeated the Hampton Roads Mariners in comprehensive fashion in front of 3,007 delighted Battery fans Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium. Charleston dominated the game in both halves and secured five valuable points against their division rival the Mariners. The win propels Charleston to a record of 9 wins, 4 losses and 2 draws good for 44 pts and second position in the Atlantic division. Also the Battery's season long, unbeaten home streak, was extended. The game started at a brisk pace and it was Charleston who immediately dominated possession. Crisp passing, combined with savvy defensive play gave the Battery the look of an undefeatable team and it wasn't long before they scored, underlining the point. In the 26th minute, Mac Cozier broke clear on the right flank. Showing remarkable skill he sped past a Mariner defender. Then he glanced up and drilled the ball into the box, straight to the feet of Bulgarian, Velko Iotov. Iotov took one quick touch, steadied himself and fired the ball into the top right-hand corner. It was 1-0 Charleston.

The Battery would double their lead within two minutes. This time it was the result of some intense team pressure. Charleston was awarded a corner-kick from the near side. Veteran midfielder, Todd Miller swung the ball into the area. It was scrambled clear by the Hampton defense, but only as far as Ivailo Ilarianov, loitering at the edge of the penalty area. Ivo didn't hesitate. He fired a ferocious shot straight back toward goal. The ball screamed into the net, past the despairing hands of Mariner keeper, Emmet Idzahl and the score was 2-0 in favor of the home side. The first half finished with no further goals but there would be two more in the second half. The first was a Mariner goal scored by substitute striker, Jakob Fenger . With Hampton edging their way back into the game Charleston rallied once more. In the 58th minute the Battery squashed any hopes the Mariners may have had with a third, decisive goal. Paul Conway fought his way past a defender in the middle of the park. He drove a pass out wide to Velko Iotov. Iotov looked up, then sent the ball quickly to the back post. There waiting for it was forward, Mac Cozier. Cozier rose to meet the cross and snapped a header down into the goal. The score was now 3-1 to Charleston and there was no coming back for Hampton. With time running out, Head Coach Alan Dicks made a couple of substitutions solidifying the Charleston side. The crowd was jubilant as the referee blew the final whistle and the Battery strengthened their reputation as a side that is difficult, if not impossible, to beat at home.

Charleston leaves the friendly confines of Blackbaud Stadium next week, for a two game road trip to Pennsylvania. Friday, Charleston faces Pittsburgh, game-time 7:35 PM, while Sunday it's a rare afternoon game at Hershey, game-time is 1:30 PM. Both games can be heard live in Charleston on WTMZ 910 am, on the Charleston Battery Skattells Radio Network. Pre-game begins 15 minutes before kickoff.

July 8th, 2000. 7:30pm	1st	2nd	Final
Charleston Battery	2	1	3
Hampton Roads Mariners	0	1	1

Scoring Summary:
Battery: Iotov 26
Battery: Ilarianov 28
Mariners: Martinez 49
Battery: Cozier 58

Line Ups:
Battery: Hudock, Warham, Jean-Baptiste, Woods, Miller, Spooner, Alvero (Scott 66), Ilarianov (Brownell 79), Cozier (Akin 81), Conway, Iotov (Saurez 65).
Mariners: Idzahl, Samuel (Bergeron 70), Wygonik, Owens, Fletcher, Martinez, Dominguez (Tanner 76), Kraemer, Bailey (Fenger 42), Scrofani, Donnelly. Shots: Battery 11, Mariners 13

Saves: Battery (Hudock) 6, Mariners (Idzahl) 3.

Fouls: Battery 18, Mariners 6.

Offsides: Battery 6, Mariners 2.

Corners: Battery 6, Mariners 5.

Cautions: Mariners (Kraemer).

Ejections: none.

Weather: typically warm and lovely.