Battery Smash Indy 5-0 to Advance to Conference Semifinal

By: Battery Media

The Charleston Battery demolished Indy Eleven, 5-0, in the USL Championship Eastern Conference Quarterfinal on Sunday at Patriots Point. Five different goalscorers found the back of the net: Emilio Ycaza, Augi Williams, Arturo Rodriguez, Fidel Barajas and Nick Markanich. Goalkeeper Trey Muse notched his 13th shutout of the year.

The Battery advance to the Conference Semifinals to host Birmingham Legion FC on Sat., Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. ET. Tickets for the match are available now via SeatGeek.com, the Battery’s exclusive digital ticketing provider.

Charleston’s start to the night proved to be a sign of what was to come as they scored early and often. Emilio Ycaza flew in on a corner kick in the 12th minute and knocked in the opening goal, assisted by Arturo Rodriguez, sending the packed Patriots Point crowd into a frenzy. The goal was Ycaza’s third of the year.

The Battery kept rolling through the first half, overwhelming Indy relentlessly. Augi Williams lined up a shot from the edge of the box with enough power to make it through the hands of goalkeeper Tim Trilk, who appeared to make the save initially. The goal was set up by Nick Markanich’s high press to force the turnover and he was credited with the assist. Williams’ goal tally ascended to 15 in 2023 with the strike.

Rodriguez, fresh off providing the assist, etched his name into the scoresheet in the 40th minute with an exclamation mark before halftime. Fidel Barajas set up Rodriguez with a cross into the box and Rodriguez flew in with a header for the goal. The goal was Rodriguez’s third of the year; Barajas’ 10th assist.

Goalkeeper Trey Muse handled the first half with relative ease and needed to make only one save in the first half, the only one he’d make all night.

Charleston picked up right where they left off in the second half, a signal that the rout was officially on against the Eleven. Barajas and Rodriguez combined again in the 47th minute but this time Barajas found the back of the net to make the score 4-0. The assist was Rodriguez’s second of the night and sixth of the year.

With a commanding lead in hand, Charleston kept their foot firmly on the gas, almost as if to atone for the 0-4 defeat handed to them by Indy back in June. It was Markanich’s turn to enter the scoresheet in the 63rd minute, he crashed into the box at the perfect time to send a cross by Williams into the net to make it 5-0. The goal brought Markanich’s 2023 tally to 12.

The Battery’s domination of the match was unwavering the club saw out the victory to punch their ticket to the Conference Semifinals, a 5-0 thrashing of Indy. Charleston’s return to the postseason also brought their first victory over Indy since 2019.

The victory was a noteworthy one for Barajas, Markanich and Juan Sebastian Palma, who all made their debut in the USL Playoffs.

Muse’s shutout brings his clean sheet total to 13 for the year.

Charleston’s win bucked the trend of upsets in the Eastern Conference after seeds Nos. 1, 2 and 4 lost on Saturday.

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