CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery earned a second consecutive 1-1 draw in the 2017 Carolina Challenge Cup on Wednesday night as they held Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew SC at MUSC Health Stadium. Forrest Lasso scored in the first half for the Battery, but an own goal in the second half left honors even.

Crew SC saw more of the ball in the first half, and earned a good spells of possession in the Battery’s defensive third. Charleston coped well with the pressure, keeping a clean sheet through the first 45 minutes.

“We created a lot of chances,” said Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser. “I think they had more of the possession, but we were dangerous in the attacking third and we defended well when we lost the ball”

The Battery broke the deadlock after Maikel Chang played Jeffery Otoo through down the left flank, and the Atlanta United FC loanee drove at the end line and swung a cross in that was knocked out for a corner. The 6-foot-5 Lasso rose above Columbus’ goalkeeper Brad Stuver and nodded Portillo’s in-swinging delivery in at the back post to put the hosts ahead in the 26th minute.