The Charleston Battery turned in the performance of the year so far with a 6-0 demolishing of Las Vegas Lights FC on Saturday at Patriots Point. Nick Markanich scored four goals, including a hat trick in the first half, and goals by MD Myers and Aaron Molloy added to the rout.
The Battery’s six goals matched the club’s single-game best in their USL Championship era, matching a mark set in 2017. Charleston are now nine games unbeaten to start the year atop the USL Championship table.
Nick Markanich wasted no time in starting the scoring, finding the back of the net in the 4th minute, assisted by Emilio Ycaza. Charleston cut through the Las Vegas defense with relative ease before Markanich’s first-time strike set the tone for the day. It was Markanich’s fourth consecutive game with a goal.
MD Myers doubled the Battery’s lead in the 22nd minute after Markanich’s pressure forced Las Vegas into a nervy situation in their own box. Markanich played the ball to Myers for a tap-in on an open net. The M&M Boys’ combination yielded Myers’ sixth goal of the year, and his fourth consecutive game with a goal.
Another heavy application of pressure by the Battery produced their third goal of the day at the half-hour mark. Myers’ run toward goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena jarred the ball loose at right to Markanich’s feet roughly 20 yards away from an empty goal. Markanich curled the ball into the net to make the score 3-0.
Markanich sealed the first half hat trick in the 37th minute from the penalty spot. The Battery were awarded a spot attempt after Ycaza was fouled in the box by Jean-Claude Ngando. Markanich’s conversion earned him the first hat trick of his professional career.
The Battery took a commanding 4-0 lead into halftime despite holding 40% possession.
When play resumed, Markanich picked up right where he started. The attack netted his fourth goal of the game, known as a haul or a poker, in the 48th minute with a perfect strike to the far post, assisted by Juan David Torres. It was the fifth-fastest haul in Championship history.
At the time of scoring, Markanich’s count of 11 goals so far this year totaled more than 18 Championship clubs have scored as a team. He now sits solidly in the lead of the league’s Golden Boot race. Markanich’s 11 goals also make him the top goalscorer across all domestic leagues in the United States, two ahead of Lionel Messi in second.
Play began to settle with the Battery holding a 5-0 lead as the second half played on. Aaron Molloy, however, added the team’s sixth goal of the afternoon in the 81st minute with a stunning shot from about 30 yards out, assisted by Mark Segbers.
The Battery saw out the remaining time for the dominant 6-0 victory over Las Vegas. Charleston’s record improves to 6W-0L-3D (21pts), with a goal differential of +17, placing them firmly atop the USL Championship standings.
Goalkeeper Adam Grinwis recorded his fourth shutout of the year after a relatively light day at the office, making one save. As of writing, that mark puts him in a tie for the league lead for shutouts.
With the four-goal performance, Markanich became the 13th player in league history to record the feat. He additionally became just the second player in Championship history to tally both four goals and one assist in a regular season game.
Head Coach Ben Pirmann and forward Nick Markanich addressed the media after the victory, with key quotes to follow.
Coach Pirmann on the team’s dominating performance against Las Vegas…
The number one thing we do is to fight to earn all three points. [Tonight,] the spirit and the energy was there. I actually didn’t think we played that great, especially in the first half. We weren’t clinical. We got the high-level chances. Massive by Nick, four goals and an assist. MD increasing the goals. In the prep for the whole week, it was all about our energy and our fight. It was a unique kickoff time so we looked a little sluggish, but to be able to put six on the board was really awesome.
We’re in first place right now because we’ve played more games than everybody else. We’ve got a target on our back, so we have to make sure that we keep getting better because we know everybody else is. When the games even out, they’ll pass us and then we’re playing catch up. We just have to focus one day at a time, one exercise at a time, take care of our bodies, and mentally push to get better and better.
Coach Pirmann on Nick Markanich’s four goals, one assist showing…
Nick just keeps getting better. As a footballer, a human being, and mentality-wise, he’s becoming more and more dominant. He even came up after he subbed off and said, ‘I wasn’t sharp, my legs were tired.’ We got to evaluate that, but the performance, he’s confident. Head down, he’s always working with momentum going forward. Obviously, he’s finishing, he’s looking for his teammates. For us, we just have to keep getting better. All we’re going to think about right now is Hartford.
Markanich on his performance in the victory…
My first professional hat trick and then another one. Four goals, I’m excited. I was buzzing the whole time. There were a couple of mistakes from the other team, from MD with pressure, so I give all [credit] to my teammates.
I have never had hat trick in my professional career. I’m happy I got it, especially in front of the home fans. Going into halftime with three goals, I didn’t think I was going to get more. I’m excited to have gotten another one.
At half time I always check my phone, my brother and my family were giving me feedback. They told me to keep going and keep getting more, so I’m excited to check my phone again and see what they say and talk to them.
Markanich on the team’s big win in front of a crowd of over 4,000…
It was a great atmosphere. Coach Ben told us in the beginning that it was going to be a big, big crowd. Great crowd. I’m excited everyone came out and we’re happy we got a six-zero win in front of these home fans.
We have got another home game next weekend, we love playing at home. We play great at home in front of our friends and fans, especially on this great pitch. We’re looking forward to next weekend at home.
The Battery are back home for May The Fourth Be With You Night at Patriots Point on Sat., May 4, against Hartford Atheltic. Fans are encouraged to dress up as their favorite intergalactic characters and stay after the match for an out-of-this-world drone show. Tickets are on sale now via SeatGeek.com, the club’s exclusive digital ticketing provider.
Lineups and Scoring Summary
CHS: Grinwis, Dossantos, Smith (Palma, 78’), Archer, Segbers, Allan, Molloy (Dean, 84’), Torres (LaCava, 61’), Ycaza (Crawford, 69’), Markanich (Gutierrez, 61’), Myers (Drack, 69’)
LOU: Arozarena, Garcia, Klimenta (Sargis, 81’), Hafferty (Smart, 58’), Samake (Bennett, 58’), Asante (Nigro, 58’), Ngando, Noel, Adams (Azcona, 66’), Gannon, Alba (Gyau, 58’)
Scoring Summary:
CHS – Nick Markanich (Emilio Ycaza), 4’
CHS – MD Myers (Nick Markanich), 22’
CHS – Nick Markanich, 30’
CHS – Nick Markanich, 37’
CHS – Nick Markanich (Juan David Torres), 49’
CHS – Aaron Molloy (Mark Segbers), 81’
