The Battery’s back line solidified further Wednesday with the re-signing of Jarad van Schaik, pending league and federation approval. The veteran leader and 2020 Captain returns to Charleston for his seventh season in the Black and Yellow.
Jarad made 13 starts in 15 appearances last season while logging 1,234 on the defense. More impressively, during the August 19 win over North Carolina FC that retained the Southern Derby cup, Jarad’s start marked his 150th career appearance for the Battery. That appearance placed him in rarefied company as just the fourth player in USL Championship history to record 150+ regular season appearances with one club.
Van Schaik posted another solid season defensively as he led the team with 29 interceptions while contributing 45 clearances and winning 16 of 21 tackles. On the opposite end, Jarad’s lone assist was arguably the most crucial for the Battery this season. In the 101st minute of the Battery’s first-round playoff match against the Charlotte Independence, van Schaik’s long cross off a free kick found Arthur Bosua who headed it past a charging Charlotte keeper to seal Charleston’s 2-1 victory.
“I’m looking forward to competing in another exciting season, playing in front of our fans that always bring that special atmosphere,” Jarad said. His return to the back line is a key component that will continue making Patriots Point a fortress opponents’ fear.
