What a difference a week makes.

Last week, the Battery on paper and on the pitch outplayed FC Cincinnati in their 2018 USL season home opener, only to have FC Cincinnati capitalize on a bad deflection to blank the Battery and head back to Ohio with 3 points.

This week, the Battery fans would see Penn FC (formerly known as the Harrisburg City Islanders) make the trek to the Lowcountry and hold the advantage in possession, interceptions, corners, tackle success rate, flops and overactive diving.

But it was the important stat, goals scored, that made all the difference and in that, the Battery prevailed.

Pro referee Marcos de Oliveira is not going to be on many Christmas card lists this year coming out of Charleston. De Oliveira failed to keep the game progressing, with a constant start and stopping of play due to the overdramatic play of Penn FC players. Through 90 minutes of play the Battery faithful endured countless fouls, with calls going against the Battery as several Penn FC players fell victim to the dreaded turf sniper.

Slow restarts continued for the duration of the first half and into the second half. Play centered primarily on either side of mid-line for a majority of the match.

USL heat map for #CHSvPEN

And yet, patience is a virtue mastered by the veteran.

It was in the 62nd minute that the Battery sealed the victory and put three points on the table. On the right side of the pitch under pressure from Penn FC, Tah Brian Anunga passed back to Victor Mansaray, who was substituted in for an injured Nico Rittmeyer in the 26th minute. Mansaray drove back across the field under pressure from two of Penn FC’s midfielders. A brilliant right footed flick pass reached Vincenzo Candela, just forward of the 18 yard box, and he funneled the ball through his legs behind him to Battery veteran forward Ataulla Guerra.

Guerra drove forward with Penn FC defender Tiago Calvano in tow. Just as he started to send the ball into the goal with his right foot, the veteran Guerra checked up, just in time to watch a sliding in Calvano go right past him. Guerra switched up to his left foot with Calvano beat, and only Penn FC’s goalkeeper Romuald Peiser stood sentry. Guerra bent the ball just inside the left post and into the net, prompting the Regiment to set off the yellow smoke for the first time this season.

A thing of beauty and a sure Goal of the Week candidate.

Three who defended Charleston

Tah Brian Anunga : Anunga has been consistent through the preseason, the Carolina Challenge Cup, and into week one. He’s clearly a key player in Coach Anhaeuser’s game strategy. Anunga led the Battery with a 72.6% passing accuracy, and started the game winning goal.

: Anunga has been consistent through the preseason, the Carolina Challenge Cup, and into week one. He’s clearly a key player in Coach Anhaeuser’s game strategy. Anunga led the Battery with a 72.6% passing accuracy, and started the game winning goal. Jay Bolt: Signed by the Battery in the offseason, Bolt had strong performances in the preseason and Carolina Challenge Cup and has quickly become one of the Battery fan favorites. He made his first professional start tonight and was key to the defense that blanked Penn FC, giving the Battery not only its first victory of the season, but also its first clean sheet.

Taylor Mueller: The Captain led from the front once again, as he does. Mueller not only kept the team focused amidst sub-par officiating that caused fricton on the field between Penn FC and Battery players, but was once again a defensive stalwart with five clearances and three crucial interceptions. He ensured that Odisnel Cooper’s night would be light on “Super” Cooper aerobatics.

They said it

Coach Mike Anhaeuser’s thoughts on the game tonight:

“Defensively we’re very happy… We’ll be very happy that we defended very well as a team for 90 minutes tonight and take that as we head out on the road for the next few weeks.”

Forward Ataulla Guerra’s thoughts on his game winning goal:

“It was just a touch of experience and composure in front of goal. I just relaxed myself because I knew I was going to get a chance; and when I got it, I took it to the best of my ability.”

Up next

The Battery’s next match is away, Saturday, March 31 against New York Red Bulls II at Red Bull Arena. The match is scheduled to kick off at 1:00 p.m.

This will be the first match since the Baby Bulls knocked the Battery out in the first round of the 2017 USL playoffs by a brutal 4–0 scoreline in Charleston. The Battery will remain on the road for three weeks until April 28 when they take on Tampa Bay Rowdies back at home.

Box score

Charleston Battery — 1

Penn FC — 0

Goals

Charleston Battery: Guerra 62' (assist: Candela)

Penn FC: none.