Battery Fall 2-3 to New York at Patriots Point

By: Battery Media

An early own-goal would be the difference maker Wednesday night as the Charleston Battery fell 2-3 to New York Red Bulls II at Patriots Point. The Black and Yellow put up a challenge late in the second half, looking as if they would walk away with a point, but were unable to find the back of the net as time ran out for the home team. The visitors’ win keeps New York’s unbeaten streak in Charleston alive for at least one more year.

The first half featured plenty of chances for both sides. Battery forward Geobel Perez nearly broke open the game with a strong shot from outside the box, however the strike hit the left post and went wide. Both Perez and Josh Penn each registered two shots through the first thirteen minutes, although none were able to convert. New York opened the game in the 14th minute by forcing a Battery own goal following a counter attack by Serge Ngoma. The visitors added a second goal minutes later after Jake LaCava scored inside the box to the near post.

The Battery got one back in the 34th minute when Joel Bunting headed home his third goal of the season after a set piece play. The Charleston native reacted to a deflected ball and sent it through the reach of goalkeeper AJ Marcucci. DZ Harmon looked to level the terms following Bunting’s goal a moment after, but his attempt was blocked. Penn again aimed for goal in the 43rd minute however the shot went wide right. New York took a 1-2 lead into the half, while Charleston outshot the visitors eight to six.

Play resumed in the second half featuring the same intensity as the half prior. Jeremy Rafanello added a third goal for New York with a header from the center of the box in the 47th minute. Rafanello’s header was tipped by goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky and narrowly stayed under the crossbar. The Battery were quick to press for a second goal after the third concession. Among the most promising attempts came from Burke Fahling, who fired in a shot from outside the box that forced Murcucci to make a tight save in the 57th minute. Zeiko Lewis had a promising look in the 69th minute with an opportunity inside the box, but his attempt was too tall for the crossbar.

Charleston struck back in the 80th minute following another set piece play, this time Leland Archer supplied the diving header that made the score 2-3. The goal was the first of Archer’s professional career and had just enough power behind it to charam off the crossbar and down past the goal line. Lewis notched his ninth assist of the season, putting him tied for most in the league for 2021. The Black and Yellow really found momentum as the game’s dying minutes began to play out. New York’s defense, however, stood strong just enough to outlast the hosts’ efforts despite two conceding two corners in the final moments. AJ Paterson had among the best opportunities to equalize with a shot in stoppage time from outside the box, however his strong strike went narrowly wide right of the far post.

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