The Battery split points with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in a 2-2 draw Saturday night at MUSC Health Stadium. It was a tale of two halves as the Battery completed a second-half comeback to stay undefeated at home this season.
Pittsburgh got off to a blistering start, scoring their first goal in the fifth minute through a Kevin Kerr goal. Midfielder Kenardo Forbes played a perfectly weighted pass to Kerr who found space between defenders Taylor Mueller and Kyle Nelson at the top of the eighteen-yard box. Kerr would slip his shot pas Kuzminsky despite late pressure from Nelson.
Forbes would find himself involved with Pittsburgh’s second goal just seven minutes later, this time as a goal scorer. Ryan James lofted a pass towards Forbes who controlled the ball beautifully and caught goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky with a brilliant chip.
Frustration began to build for the Battery late in the first half. Obrian Woodbine, Jarad van Schaik, and Romario Piggott were all booked in the final moments before the whistle. “I told them at half time to keep their composure,” said head coach Mike Anhaeuser after the match. “We had a couple of guys getting upset about things they couldn’t control. Keep your composure and we’ll get them in the second half.”
Forward Nicque Daley would provide the spark off the bench that the Battery needed to complete the comeback. Twelve minutes after coming on for Piggott, Daley found himself with an opportunity in a dangerous area and forced a penalty from a Pittsburgh defender. Zeiko Lewis would score the ensuing penalty kick to cut the Pittsburgh lead.
Five minutes after Lewis’ penalty, Daley would finish off a wonderful individual effort to leveling things late. Daley found himself with a bit of space on the right side and one on one with a Pittsburgh defender. Daley beat the first defender and split two others on his way into the box and placed a perfect shot past Kyle Morton at the far post. Daley would go on to win Man of the Match honors after his first goal for the Battery. “Well I’m so excited about getting the goal for the team and the supporters,” said Daley after the match. “I knew I had the pace and quickness to make something happen and when I got into the box, I knew I could pass or shoot. I decided to shoot, and I scored. It’s fantastic.”
The Battery are home for the second straight match on Saturday, May 11th as they take on St. Louis FC at MUSC Health Stadium. Tickets are available for purchase at tickets.https://www.www.charlestonbattery.com or by calling (843) 971-GOAL.
BOXSCORE
CHARLESTON: Kuzminsky, Nelson (Kelly 67’), Mueller, Woodbine (YC 44’), Piggott (YC 45+2’, Daley 64’, goal 81’), Lewis (pen 77’), Candela, Rittmeyer, van Schaik (YC 45’) (Marini 77’), Anunga (YC 14’), Bosua (YC 78’)
Substitutes: Beebe, Breno, Paterson, Kelly, Mason, Marini, Daley
PITTSBURGH: Morton, Adewole, Dover, Kahsai (Uzo 70’), James (assist 7’), Kerr (goal 5’), Forbes (assist 5’, goal 12’), Volesky (Dos Santos 79’), Velarde (Brett 79’), Vancaeyezeele, Greenspan (YC 37’)
