Charleston, SC. The Charleston Battery lost to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds tonight, by a score of three goals to one at Blackbaud Stadium in front of 2,606. The game was the 2nd leg of a 1st round playoff series; the Riverhounds advance to the quarterfinals by an aggregate score of five goals to two. They will face the defending champions, the Rochester Raging Rhinos in a two game home and home series this coming week.
Pittsburgh opened the scoring with a surprise goal in the 3rd minute. Midfielder, Gary DePalma got behind the Battery defense and broke into the left side of the box. As Charleston keeper, Dusty Hudock advanced, he drove the ball past him and into the goal.
Striker, Mac Cozier gave the Battery a glimmer of hope in the 22nd minute. He scored the tying goal with a sharp shot from the edge of the 18-yard box. It was his 1st goal of the playoffs and 49th of his professional career. Defender, Gilbert Jean-Baptiste provided the assist.
Just before the break, the Riverhounds scored again. Former Charleston midfielder, Paul Dougherty combined with Henry Guitierez at the edge of the penalty area. He beat the offside trap and lifted the ball over Hudock to give Pittsburgh the lead.
After the break the Battery opened up to try and find a goal. The Riverhounds took advantage of the increased space and scored the killer goal in the 54th minute. Gary DePalma made a good run down the right flank before cutting the ball back across the face of the goal. Defender, John Jones side-footed the cross into the goal, to give Pittsburgh the 3-1 lead.
The loss ends the Charleston Battery's 2001 A-League campaign. All proceeds from tonight's match will benefit the victims of last week's terrorist attacks. The Battery also matched dollar for dollar, individual donations made at the game.
1 2 OT F
Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2 1 3
Charleston Battery 1 0 1
Scoring Summary:
Riverhounds: DePalma, 3
Battery: Cozier (Jean-Baptiste), 22
Riverhounds: Dougherty (Guitierez), 45
Riverhounds: Jones (DePalma), 54
Riverhounds---Irebarin (Terlecky 45), Johnson, Green, Gori, Jones (Karn 80), Guitierez, DePalma (Klontz 65), Dougherty (Garry 87), Welton, Apple (Flavius 58)
Total Shots: 11; Fouls: 13; Offsides: 2; Corner Kicks: 2; Saves: 4; Cautions: Guitierez (64); Ejections: None
Battery-Hudock, Jean-Baptiste, Calichman, Wilson, Sahaydak (Iotov 51), Anderson (Warham 84), Rantala, Farris (Alvero 78), Piesner (Ball 43), Conway, Cozier (Donnelly 78)
Total Shots: 14; Fouls: 18; Offsides: 4; Corner Kicks: 4; Saves: 3; Cautions: Rantala (45), Cozier (50), Calichman (77); Ejections: None
Attendance: 2,606
Weather: Hot / Humid
For More Information, Contact:
Andrew Bell, Media Director
Charleston Battery
(843) 971-GOAL
Fax - (843) 856-6958
Andrew.Bell@CharlestonBattery.com
