Williams, Markanich, power Battery past Loudoun

The Charleston Battery leaped back into first in the USL’s Eastern Conference for at least 24 hours with the help of goals from Augi Williams and a brace from Nick Markanich on Saturday as the Black and Yellow ran out 3-0 winners over Loudoun United.

The match was the Battery’s first at home in three weeks, having lost two and won one in that time, while their next two will also be away from home, so it was a big match as the season swings into high gear.

It was a bittersweet night as Dante Polvara will return to Aberdeen following the expiry of his loan, while AJ Paterson was honored for recently passing 100 appearances for the club. Fortunately for both players, the night was one to celebrate as they both put in valiant individual efforts.

It didn’t take long to get things started. After half chances from both sides, Beto Avila got the ball on the right wing from a long ball by way of Chris Allan. He combined well with eventual scorer Markanich and sent a pinpoint ball across the box that took former Battery stopper Hugo Fauroux out of the play and left Augi Williams with a tap in in front of the goal. It was a great way for Williams to mark his return from International Duty with Sierra Leone, as he remains top of the Battery’s goalscoring charts with eight.

After 33′, some good buildup fell to Derek Dodson, who sent a powerful shot toward goal, but the effort went over the bar.

Things got more complicated for the visitors after defender Jace Clark was sent off for a last-man challenge on Avila. Arturo Rodriguez took the ensuing free kick, but sent it over the bar.

The second half began in much the same way the first ended, with Polvara hitting the post from the edge of the box on 48′, after a carefully crafted corner from Rodriguez.

Just a few minutes later, Rodriguez would be at the controls from a corner ball again, this time, he would loft the ball in toward the back post, and it was Markanich who rose highest, heading the ball into the ground before it beat Fauroux who tried in vain to get enough on the ball to keep it out.

In the 71st, Rodriguez had the ball on the right as he moved into the box, and would eventually find an overlapping Markanich, who did well to find the space to turn and shoot, leaving Fauroux flat-footed for the Battery’s third, and his second of the match.

The goal was Markanich’s seventh of the year, with and fourth in his last three games, for which Rodriguez was credited with his second assist of the night.

The Battery would continue in search of a fourth goal, but after a corner went just wide in the 89th, the final whistle blew, giving the Black and Yellow a much-needed three points, which, at least temporarily found them at the top of the Eastern Conference once more.

After a week off, The Battery next face Indy Eleven on Wednesday, July 12th. They will be away from home, with the match set for kick-off at 7PM. You can stream it on ESPN+.

TOP IMAGE: NICK MARKANICH RISES TO HEAD HIS FIRST OF TWO GOALS INTO THE BACK OF THE NET. ROSS ALMERS PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO