Late Goal in Indy downs Battery

The Charleston Battery conceded a goal inside the final ten minutes as they were beaten by Indy Eleven by a score of 1-0 Saturday night.

It was a sleepy and disjointed game from both sides, coming off midweek wins in the US Open Cup, which meant changes to both sets of players. The game took a while to get going, but in the end, Tyler Pasher’s shot that deflected off of Joe Kuzminsky into the net was enough to separate the two sides.

Kuzminsky started the night well, cutting out the first half chance of the match on 30′, when an Ayoze cross went in search of former Battery striker Dane Kelly from the left, but the ‘keeper went down low and was able to claim.

Kelly was then involved again two minutes before the break, forcing a save out of Kuzminsky after latching on to a pinpoint through ball that held up for the striker on the turf, but Kuzminsky stood his ground and deny the forward.

And that was how the first half ended. The artificial turf was clearly giving the visitors problems with the bounce and check of the ball, but the backline defended well, though neither team were up to much in terms of attacking intent.

Ayoze was causing the Black and Yellow problems again following the break, when he combined with second half substitute Tyler Pasher on a cross, but Pasher’s shot lacked power and didn’t trouble Kuzminsky.

In the 56th, Pasher would combine with Enevoldsen to set up an effort that went high over the bar before it could do any damage.

With 20 minutes to go, Thomas Enovoldsen was on the end of a cross inside the 18 yard box and looked to shoot before Taylor Mueller was on hand to block the effort away at the last.

But then, with six minutes of normal time remaining, Tyler Pasher created some separation between him and his marker, and, seeing Kuzminsky protecting for the cross, took a shot that deflected off of a diving Kuzminsky and into the back of the net.

It was hard on the Battery. Especially on Kuzminsky himself, given the amount of work he’d had to do previously. The game had been incredibly even, but the Black and Yellow found themselves behind nonetheless.

It could’ve gotten worse for the visitors on 87′, when Dane Kelly found himself in space on the right, but his cross for Enevoldsen was only met with a header off target.

The Battery struggled to find a way through, and though there were six minutes of added on time coming largely from a Taylor Mueller head injury, were unable to find a late equalizer.

The Battery next face Atlanta United 2 on May 25th at MUSC Health Stadium. Kick off is at 7:30PM.

FEATURED IMAGE: BATTERY DEFENDER JAY BOLT FIGHTS FOR A BALL AGAINST AN INDY ELEVEN PLAYER IN A 2018 MEETING. PHOTO CREDIT ROSS ALMERS PHOTOGRAPHY