The Charleston Battery just tallied an impressive seven points in seven days. Up the Battery!

The hot streak started with a 1–1 draw against Penn FC in Harrisburg, followed up by Tuesday night’s 3–0 rout of Atlanta United 2 on the road in Georgia. Then on Saturday, the Battery capped off a great week with a 1–0 victory at home against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Those seven points catapulted the Battery from 12th place to 6th place in the USL Eastern Conference table and extended Charleston’s undefeated streak to four games.

The Battery went on the attack just after the first whistle. In the first minute, a cross from Nico Rittmeyer traveled into the box and connected with a header from the big Swede, Ian Svantesson, only to have former Charlotte Independence keeper Cody Mizell block it on the right corner of the goal.

The 3,462 Battery faithful went on to endure inconsistent officiating from referee Ismir Pekmic, who would concede fouls to the Rowdies, while ignoring the same fouls committed by the Rowdies.

The Rowdies did have the best attempt early to score in the 23rd minute. Rowdies forward Leo Fernandes played a give-and-go with Georgi Hristov, which earned him a one-on-one with Battery keeper Joe Kuzminsky. Joe was able to deflect his shot, one of two big saves Kuzminsky would make on the night.

The Rowdies were unable to convert the ensuing set piece, or move the ball forward with any real threat after that, the story of the night for them.

With one minute added in stoppage time in the first half, Ataulla “The Slayer” Guerra took a pass on the left side from Neveal Hackshaw, dribbled around two Rowdies defenders, and took a right-footed shot at the top left corner of the 18-yard box, sending it through two Rowdies defenders and off the hands of an outstretched and diving Mizell into the right corner of the net.

For those of you counting at home, that is Guerra’s second goal in three games and third on the year.

The Rowdies would put on the full-pitch press in the last ten minutes of the match, with no less than four attempts to score, but each of those attempts would be thwarted the Battery back line who, once again, put it all out on the pitch to secure the win, sending the Battery to 6th place on the table and ahead of both North Carolina USL clubs.

Coach Mike Anhaeuser deployed the 3–4–2–1 formation for a third straight game with Kuzminsky getting his second start in goal and securing his second straight clean sheet. The formation has been highly effective for the Battery, with a 3–0 pounding at Atlanta 2 and now a 1–0 win against second place Tampa Bay.

And compared to Tuesday’s match against Atlanta United 2 where they struggled to control the ball, the Battery doubled their possession percentage on Saturday. It’s only getting better.

By the numbers

The Battery had four players with a passing accuracy greater than 80% and Swedish Ian earned the A+ for 100% passing accuracy. Tah Brian Anunga led the Battery with 66 passes.

Battery Offense Leaders #CHSvTBR

The Battery back line put in yet another amazing defensive performance as well. Captain Taylor Mueller’s critical clearances during the Rowdies late half pushes kept Kuzminsky’s work load light, and Skylar Thomas recorded two of best slide tackles we have seen this season.

Match Summary

In Defense of Charleston

The Fiesta Trio: The back line was the dominant force that saved the Rowdies checked baggage fees by keeping the three points in Charleston. Led by the Mueller, Hackshaw, and Thomas. Why chose just one?

Up next

The Battery remain at home next week, hosting the Charlotte Independence for Cinco de Soccer, Saturday, May 5th at 7:00pm at MUSC Health Stadium.

And it’s everyone’s favorite, THE DOLLAR BEER NIGHT + MARGARITA SPECIAL!

Box score

Charleston Battery — 1

Tampa Bay Rowdies — 0

Goals

45+1’ — Charleston — Ataulla Guerra (assist: Neveal Hackshaw)

#CHSvTBR Highlights