CINCINNATI, OHIO – The Charleston Battery came from behind to upset FC Cincinnati, 2-1, at Nippert Stadium Saturday afternoon. With the win, Charleston advances to the Eastern Conference Semifinals and awaits the winner of the Louisville City FC/Richmond Kickers match.
Cincinnati opened the scoring early in the first half through an unsaveable strike from Eric Stevenson. Sean Okoli took advantage of a Battery turnover in its own half, picking up a misplaced pass and feeding the ball to Stevenson. The Ohio native drove at the back line and smashed a shot into the top corner of Alex Tambakis’ goal, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.
The veteran Battery squad responded to the early deficit well and clawed their way back into the match. Chris Tsonis scored an equalizer in the 40th minute, flicking an O’Brian Woodbine long throw in at the near post. Tsonis has shown up at the right time all season, scoring four equalizing goals in all competitions.
Goalkeeper Alex Tambakis made a huge save in stoppage time of the first half to send the teams into the break level at one. The Atlanta United loanee rushed off his line after the back four was caught out to deny Andrew Wiedeman on a one-on-one opportunity.
The beginning of the second half was stretched with both teams pushing for the go ahead goal. In the midst of the end-to-end action, it was the Battery who found the back of the net. Zach Prince got his head on a Maikel Chang corner kick, flicking it on frame. Prince’s header took a deflection and went in, giving Charleston a 2-1 lead.
Coach Anhaeuser’s experienced side closed out the match, thwarting any attacking threat FC Cincinnati threw at them and earning the team’s seventh road victory this season. Following the win, the Battery will either meet Louisville City FC at Slugger Field or the Richmond Kickers at MUSC Health Stadium in the next round.
Box Score:
CHARLESTON BATTERY: Alex Tambakis, Quinton Griffith, Taylor Mueller, Shawn Ferguson, O’Brian Woodbine, Zach Prince (goal, 65), Ataulla Guerra, Dante Marini (Emmanuel Adjetey, 75), Maikel Chang (yellow card, 62), Chris Tsonis (goal, 40) (Neveal Hackshaw, 71), Romario Williams (Heviel Cordoves, 77)
Subs not used – Odisnel Cooper, Forrest Lasso, Andrew Carleton, Jeremy Ebobisse
FC CINCINNATI: Mitch Hildebrandt, Pat McMahon (Omar Mohamed, 84), Austin Berry, Delbridge, Tyler Polak (Derek Luke, 78), Kenny Walker, Eric Stevenson (goal, 19), Andrew Wiedeman, Corben Bone (Casey Townsend, 74), Jimmy McLaughlin, Sean Okoli
Subs not used – Dallas Jaye, Evan Lee, Paul Nicholson, Ross Tomaselli
