The Charleston Battery drew, 0-0, with Ottawa Fury FC Saturday night at MUSC Health Stadium. The draw extends the team’s unbeaten streak to eight games in all competitions
Both sides were difficult to break down all night, with little coming in terms of chances during the run of play. Joe Kuzminsky made one save in the shutout effort, his fourth in five starts; however, it was Kuzminsky’s counterpart, Maxime Crepeau who made the decisive saves in the game.
The Battery were awarded a penalty in the 50th minute when an Ottawa defender swung his arm at Vincenzo Candela’s cross following a corner kick. Ataulla Guerra stepped up to take the penalty striking it towards his right. Crepeau saved Guerra’s shot and Nico Rittmeyer’s rebound attempt to keep the score tied.
Following the double save, momentum briefly swung in Ottawa’s favor. The Fury earned three consecutive corner kicks in the 63rd minute and almost broke the deadlock on the last of the three. Kevin Oliveira rose up to meet the inswinging corner at the back post, but his header rung off the post.
The Battery continued to press for a go-ahead in the final minutes, but couldn’t break down the Ottawa defense.
“They came in and sat back with 10 guys and stayed behind the ball,” said Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser after the match. “They made us work it in front of them and we never really got into positions to put them under pressure, so you have to commend them on their shape. We were maybe a little off here and there tonight, but we’re going to be ok. We’ll take the point and the shutout and look ahead to Wednesday.”
The Battery will return to MUSC Health Stadium on Wednesday, May 23 for their third round U.S. Open Cup match against Elm City Express before returning to league play next Saturday, May 26 in the final match of their seven game home stand.
CHARLESTON – Joe Kuzminsky, Skylar Thomas (yellow card, 48), Taylor Mueller (yellow card, 73), Nico Rittmeyer (yellow card, 66; Patrick Okonkwo, 87), Tah Brian Anunga, Vincenzo Candela, Jarad van Schaik, Kotaro Higashi (yellow card, 45), Gordon Wild (Victor Mansaray, 71), Ataulla Guerra
Substitutes – Odisnel Cooper, Jay Bolt, Ryan Arambula, Angelo Kelly, Ian Svantesson,
OTTAWA – Maxime Crepeau, Eddie Edward (yellow card, 28), Colin Falvey, Onua Obasi, Thomas Meilleur-Giguere, Cristian Portilla, Jamar Dixon, Kevin Oliveira (yellow card, 34), Adonijah Reid, Carl Haworth, Steevan Dos Santos (Tony Taylor, 79)
Substitutes – David Monslave, Sergio Manesio, Jimmy Sanson
