By: Battery Media
The Charleston Battery were defeated Saturday 4-1 away against San Diego Loyal SC at Torero Stadium. Mauro Cichero scored his first goal of the season for the Black and Yellow but SD Loyal, powered by a brace from Kyle Vassell, outlasted the Battery in the end. Charleston played on roughly two days' rest following their U.S. Open Cup match on Thursday but will now have a two-week pause in games to make adjustments before their next fixture, on April 23 at Patriots Point.
The Battery started the night on the front foot, winning a free-kick and a corner kick in the first 10 minutes of play. Charleston's press disrupted San Diego early as the visitors progressed the ball forward into some dangerous spots, however, San Diego's defense gave no way through. The hosts managed to break open the game in the 11th minute when Tumi Moshobane found the back of the net. Charleston aimed to counter quickly for an equalizer but were unable to. SD Loyal doubled their lead in the 23rd minute via an own goal after a shot off the post by Thomas Amang grazed goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky and went into the net.
Charleston got one back when Mauro Cichero scored his first goal of the season in the 28th minute, assisted by Geobel Perez. Perez initiated the play by dispossessing San Diego in their own defensive third, he then found Cichero with a perfectly-placed cross into the box. Mauro headed home the ball towards the left post and beyond goalkeeper Koke Vegas' reach. The goal was a product of the Battery's press that had been persistent throughout the half. Benji Ettienne neutralized a San Diego counterattack in the 34th minute with an impressive display of composure.
Augustine Williams came close to equalizing for the Battery in the 44th minute when Andrew Booth sent in an inviting cross that was broken up at the last moment by Koke Vegas. SD Loyal added a third, scored by Kyle Vassell, in the first minute of stoppage time to give the hosts a 3-1 advantage into the break.
San Diego resumed play looking for a fourth goal, testing Kuzminsky on a free-kick and the shot-stopper tipped the ball away to thwart the threat in the 50th minute. Romario Piggott and Joe Schmidt registered a pair of shots on the opposite end minutes later. Piggott's was the result of some strong build-up play that forced a save from Koke Vegas and Schmidt's was a curler from the edge of the box that went just over the crossbar.
Schmidt showed strength in the midfield, notably in the 61st minute, weaving through San Diego with control and poise to advance the Battery up the pitch. As the second half continued to develop, both sides settled in more while sizing each other up with neither eager to give any ground. Charleston often fell victim to SD Loyal's offside trap and San Diego were unable to overcome the rocks of the Battery defense.
Cichero looked to double the Battery's tally in the 68th minute with a shot from distance, but it was just wide of the frame. Vassell would find the back of the net again in the 75th minute to put the game out of reach. The Battery continued to press for another goal in the waning minutes of the match but could not find the final touch as San Diego saw out the 4-1 result.
