2005 Sep 2

Charleston Battery  2 - 1  Seattle Sounders
Blackbaud Stadium, Charleston, NC

Charleston: Chris Doyle; Lazo Alavanja, Drew Kopp, Jason Kutney, Jeremie Piette (Ted Chronopoulos 73'); Justin Evans, Jesus Martinez (Troy Lesesne 73'), Andrew Perez, Josh Smith (Alon Lubezky 60'); Ben Hollingsworth, Usiel Vasquez (Greg Simmonds 78'). Substitute not used: Michael Behonick, Gabe Bernstein, Kevin Jackson.

Seattle: Preston Burpo; Taylor Graham, Billy Sleeth, Ryan Edwards, Zach Scott; Kevin Sakuda, CJ Klaas (Chad Brown 74'), Leighton O'Brien, Andrew Gregor (Scott Jenkins 82'); Brent Whitfield (Jake Sagare 46'), Welton. Substitute not used: James Ward.

Goals:
45' SEA - O'Brien

62' CHA - Hollingsworth (Vasquez)
87' CHA - Perez


Match report from the Battery:

The Charleston Battery defeated the Seattle Sounders by a score of two goals to one at Blackbaud Stadium in front of 3,371. After conceding in the 45th minute the Battery mounted a comeback with two second-half goals and moves into 6th position in the USL First Division; the top six teams make the playoffs. Seattle drops to 9-5-11, but remains in 5th spot.

Charleston took the game to Seattle from the start and came close to scoring in the 5th minute. Forward Ben Hollingsworth slotted the ball through to Jesus Martinez on the left side. Martinez shot at the goal but the attempt was blocked wide for a corner.

In the 13th minute Hollingsworth slipped a tackle thirty yards out. He took a touch forward then fired at the goal forcing a diving save from Seattle goalkeeper Preston Burpo.

Seattle fought back in the 35th minute as Kevin Sakuda surged through the middle. His shot was on-target but Charleston goalkeeper Chris Doyle made a good smothering save.

In the 45th minute the ball was not properly cleared by Charleston from a corner-kick. Leighton O'Brien reacted first and poked the ball home from eight yards out.

Hollingsworth equalized in the 62nd minute after Vasquez played a neat ball through on the right side of the box. He stroked the ball past Burpo, tucking it neatly inside the far-post.

The Battery continued to press and scored the winner in the 87th minute. Substitute midfielder Troy Lesesne whipped in a free-kick from the left side. The ball squirted out to Andres Perez whose shot deflected into the left side of the goal.

Statistics:
        Charleston  Seattle
Shots:      18         7
Saves:       3         8
Corners:     6         1
Fouls:      11        11
Offsides:    2         3

Misconduct:
45' CHA - Evans cautioned
73' CHA - Hollingsworth cautioned
85' SEA - Burpo cautioned

Referees: Jeff Muschik; Alan Schechtman, Bob Wern; Jeff Hearn

Attendance: 3,371