The Charleston Battery defeated the Tampa Bay Rowdies, 3-1, on Saturday in front of an electrified crowd at Patriots Point for Hispanic Heritage Night. It was a historic occasion as Nick Markanich broke the USL Championship record for most goals in a single season after scoring twice. He also tied the Battery’s single-season record for goals scored, matching Paul Conway’s 27 tallies set in 2001.
The Battery clinched home-field advantage by way of the victory and favorable results around the league. Patriots Point will host the opening round in the first weekend of November.
Charleston started the night on the front foot, appearing eager to atone for the defeat to Tampa Bay back in July.
Like he did on that same night in July, Juan David Torres opened the scoring against Tampa Bay, with a golazo off the volley in the 5th minute. Arturo Rodriguez provided the service with a perfect cross from the right side of the box to Torres at the opposite post. Torres struck the ball off the volley to beat goalkeeper Jordan Farr.
The goal was Torres’ fifth of the season and the assist was Rodriguez’s fifth.
Charleston continued to apply heavy pressure to Tampa Bay’s defense as the half wore on. MD Myers and Nick Markanich each recorded shots on target through the half-hour mark.
On the opposing side, defender Graham Smith made a decisive clearance off the line in the 25th minute to deny the Rowdies an equalizer.
History was finally made in the 37th minute when Nick Markanich scored his 26th goal of the year to extend the Battery’s lead to 2-0. Markanich broke the USL Championship record for most goals in a single season, standing alone in the history books.
The play was initiated by Jay Chapman, who sent a long ball into the box to Myers. However, Rowdies defender Eddie Munjoma headed the ball right to Markanich in the box. Markanich then struck the ball off the volley with his left foot for a clinical finish, burying the shot and securing the new league record.
Charleston took the 2-0 lead into the break after a dominant display in the first 45 minutes.
Play resumed with the Battery looking to tighten their grip on the match and keep the Rowdies from making a comeback bid like in the first meeting.
Markanich made history again at the hour-mark to make the score 3-0. Myers and Markanich combined inside the box with Myers playing the ball across to Markanich on the left side. Markanich then took one touch to get a look on goal and fired his shot inside the far post.
The goal carried two pieces of history. One, it tied the Battery’s all-time club record for most goals in a single season (all competitions), matching Paul Conway’s mark of 27 set in 2001. Two, it brought Markanich and Myers’ combined goal total to 40, setting a new Championship record for most goals in a single season by an attacking duo.
Myers’ assist was his third of the year.
A noteworthy moment occurred in the 80th minute when Aaron Molloy entered the game off the bench. Molloy had been sidelined with an injury sustained during the July 27 match against Tampa Bay and it was a welcome to the pitch for the Irish midfielder.
The Rowdies managed to pull a goal back in the 81st minute via Freddy Kleeman, cutting the score to 3-1. Charleston’s Smith came up big in the 89th minute with another clearance off the goal line to keep the Rowdies from making a late comeback attempt.
Charleston closed out the 3-1 victory, avenging the July defeat for the club’s 12th home win of the season.
Additionally, Charleston secured home field advantage for the first round of the USL Championship Playoffs after their win was paired with an Indy Eleven loss. The combination of results guaranteed Charleston’s top-four finish in the Eastern Confrerence standings.
The win advances the Battery’s record 17W-5L-8D (59pts), matching the club’s win total from last year with a month still left to play.
Charleston were hailed winners of the No Quarter Derby, the supporter-led rivalry between the two team’s supporter groups, by an away goals tiebreaker, which the Battery held the edge on.
