CHARLESTON, S.C. – When the season began, the Charleston Battery hadn’t suffered a defeat in the USL at MUSC Health Stadium since May of 2014, and things continued as they had as the club extended its undefeated streak to 29 games with a 3-0-1 start at home this season.

But after back-to-back home defeats, including one to Louisville City FC, its opponent this Saturday in the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2016 USL Cup Playoffs, a change appeared to be required.

“At the beginning of the season we were able to play and teams would sit back and we would be able to move the ball,” Battery Coach Mike Anhaeuser said this week, “but I think once we lost those two games at home, it was more we were better off getting Romario [Williams] moving and not waiting for the game, and trying to be a little bit more like New York.”

The Red Bulls II’s success pressing opponents high up the field, recovering possession quickly and striking forward – in the same manner as has brought success to the club’s MLS team – pushed the side to a record-setting season in its second year in the USL. Taking their cue from the Eastern Conference leaders, the Battery began to press opponents more, to good effect in particular on the road. After going winless in their first four road games of the season, the Battery are 7-1-4 since, including Sunday’s Eastern Conference Quarterfinal win at Nippert Stadium against FC Cincinnati.