Saturday, August 18, 2012

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Charleston Battery tied the Dayton Dutch Lions 0-0 in their final regular season match on Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium in front of 4,599. The Battery have advanced to the postseason but must wait on results from Sunday’s games to find out if they will host a quarterfinal match next Saturday night or have to open the playoffs on the road.

“Dayton defended well and we couldn’t seem to break them down to finish our chances,” said Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser. “I thought we played well and kept the ball moving at a high tempo but we just couldn’t quite find the finish we were looking for.”

In the first half the Battery put pressure on the Dutch Lions' defense with several near-goal opportunities. Midfielder Jose Cuevas had the closest chance when Tony Donatelli served a ball in behind the Dayton defenders on top of the goal line. Cuevas took a one-time shot that somehow managed to fall wide of the target.

While the Battery held majority of the possession they failed to hit their shots on frame and forced Dayton goalkeeper Matt Williams to make few saves.

The Battery started the second half of the match strongly when midfielder Nicki Paterson was taken down in the penalty area, earning Charleston a chance to take the lead from the penalty spot. Paterson stepped up to take the shot, placing it low to the right corner of the net, but Dayton goalkeeper Matt Williams made a diving save to keep the game scoreless.

The Battery's last chance came in stoppage time when Cuevas found himself free on goal again after a fine pass by Kenneth Ellison with what looked like it was going to be a game-winner, only for his shot to come back off the right post.