Richmond's Revenge, Battery 1-2 Kickers

Having treated the Richmond Kickers to an opening day loss a week before, the Charleston Battery were dealt a similar hand Saturday evening in the second installment of the Pioneer Cup.  The big news coming from the midweek was the return of Andrew Dykstra on loan from DC United.  Dykstra played with the Battery for the 2011 season and will again play a vital role in the defense this year.   Its great to have Andrew back and I know his experience will be great for the two new keepers we recently signed.

The Battery controlled most of the match and gave all 4,729 fans plenty to cheer about.  Charleston struck first and it was Nicki Patterson who ripped open the net in the eighteenth minute.  Ryan Richter delivered up a square ball that allowed our resident Scot to one-touch the ball, burying the goal into the left corner of the net.

Despite the early lead, Richmond caught several breaks in the second half.  The Kickers were awarded a penalty for a foul in the box twenty minutes after the restart.  Stanley Nyazamba, who scored against the Battery a week ago, stepped up and converted the PK.  Then just as the game was ending, Richmond's Sacha Gorres took a pot-shot from a ways out.  The ball took a very unlucky bounce and ended up in the net.

Thats a really tough way to lose and its obvious that Coach Anhaeuser was disappointed with the final score.  And while a win or even draw would've been great, there's little time to mope.  The Battery head to Charlotte to face the Eagles at Winthrop's soccer complex this Tuesday.  With such a long history between the teams, this is always a great match and Charleston will be eager to return to winning ways.  The Regiment and several other Battery fans scattered across the state will be in attendance, so hopefully our boys will be well represented.  As always...Up the Battery!!!!