Battery loses to RailHawks

CHARLESTON, SC—The Charleston Battery suffered its first home loss in league play falling to the Carolina RailHawks 1-0 Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium.

Despite the loss, the Battery (8-3-6, 30 points) keeps a share of first place in the USL-1 with Puerto Rico.

Sallieu Bundo netted the game’s only goal in the 25th minute connecting on a low cross from the right flank by Josh Gardner.

The goal came only a minute after Battery forward Randi Patterson was given a straight red card for a collision with former Battery defender Caleb Norkus.

“We didn’t adjust quick enough after the red card,” said Battery head coach Mike Anhaeuser. “We were playing pretty well up until then. Chasing the game a man down makes it that much more difficult. We put enough pressure on them, we just couldn’t get a goal.”

The Battery’s best chance in the first half came in the 20th minute when a Dan Antoniuk drive was cleared off the line. 

Battery goalkeeper Dusty Hudock, who leads the league with 10 shutouts—five more than anyone other goalkeeper in USL-1—robbed Bundu of a sure goal after the speedy attacker got in behind a pressing Battery defense. 

The game opened up in the 63rd minute the Battery were put back on level terms on the field after RailHawk Josh Gardner was sent off for his second caution. O’Brian Woodbine—starting at left back for the injured John Wilson—and Scott Buete both narrowly missed opportunities in the final 15 minutes of play. 

With three minutes remaining Stephen Armstrong—making his first appearance in more than a month—forced RailHawks goalkeeper Eric Reed to save spectacularly to his right on a dipping 30-yard free kick.

The Battery takes to the road for a pair of games July 17 at Cleveland and July 18 at Rochester. The Battery returns to Blackbaud Stadium July 24 to host the Carolina RailHawks followed by fireworks. Call 843-971-GOAL or go to http://www.charlestonbattery for tickets.