September was another busy month for the Battery, and as the season nears its conclusion, things are heating up in the race for a final playoff spot. Big wins against Indy Eleven and North Carolina FC have kept the Battery in playoff contention with even bigger performances on the offensive and defensive ends of the ball. Voting closes Sunday night!
JOE KUZMINSKY
Kuzminsky started off September with a bang, making seven saves in a shutout win against Indy Eleven at MUSC Health Stadium on September 8th. He would follow up his impressive performance against Indy with a four save shutout against Swope Park in midweek. The 0-0 result against Swope marked his third consecutive clean sheet dating back to the last week of August, a span that saw the third year goalkeeper make fifteen saves without giving up a goal.
After a difficult outing in Atlanta, Kuzminsky bounced back to make four saves in a crucial match against North Carolina FC and denied MVP candidate, Jared Stroud, from the penalty spot against New York Red Bulls II at MSU Park. He’d finish the match with five saves keeping the Black and Yellow close enough to level things in the final seconds of the match.
NICO RITTMEYER
Rittmeyer scored his first goal of the season in a 3-1 loss to Atlanta United II finishing with a team-high two shots, both of which were on target. The midfielder completed 88% of his pass attempts and won 17 duels in the contest. Rittmeyer made appearances in all six September matches including three starts against Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and New York.
Rittmeyer scored his second goal in as many matches against North Carolina FC after coming on as a substitute in the 63rd minute for Dante Marini. Rittmeyer made an immediate impact on the match, taking three shots in 27 minutes of play including the game-winner in the third minute of stoppage time. He was efficient with his touches completing all of his passes and working on the defensive side of the ball to win possession three times.
TAH BRIAN ANUNGA
Anunga has been a dominant force in the Battery midfield this season and continued his fine form in September. Anunga opened the scoring for Charleston against North Carolina FC with a brilliant solo effort to put the Battery up 1-0. Anunga led the team in shots (4) and tackles (3) putting in a solids day work on both ends of the field.
Anunga started and played ninety minutes in five of six matches in September and played a pivotal role in AJ Paterson’s equalizing goal against New York Red Bulls II. Anunga collected a failed Red Bulls clearance, keeping the play alive, and finding Vincenzo Candela on the left-wing who served in a perfect ball to Paterson who headed home. Anunga finished the match with two key passes and won possession thirteen times, both of which were team highs.
