The Charleston Battery completed a 2-1 comeback win over Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Saturday at Patriots Point. After going into halftime down 0-1, Charleston fired back with goals in the second half by Aaron Molloy and Cal Jennings to secure the three points. It’s the second consecutive victory for the Battery and it was a just result after the hosts dominated the majority of the match.
There was a rather cagey start to the night against two teams who came into the game neck and neck in the Eastern Conference standings. Augi Williams appeared eager to score against his former club with two shots in the first 10 minutes of play, only the second one required a save from goalkeeper Luis Zamudio.
Charleston found more of a footing in the game as the half wore on and applied more pressure to Pittsburgh. Emilio Ycaza tested goalkeeper Eric Dick and forced a save in the 23rd minute and Aaron Molloy’s free-kick moments later went just wide of the frame.
The Battery nearly found an opening goal in the 32nd minute when Ycaza played a brilliant ball up the field to Cal Jennings, who then charged forward into the box. Jennings’ shot was deflected by Dick, and the rebound was at just a tight enough angle where MD Myers was unable to put the ball in the net on his follow up strike.
Pittsburgh managed to score first in the 40th minute via Bradley Sample after the Hounds’ free-kick was not fully cleared out.
Charleston were quick to respond and looked to find an equalizer before the break. Their best opportunity of the half arrived in stoppage time when Jennings was taken down in the box by the Pittsburgh goalkeeper. Jennings stepped up to the spot to convert the penalty he won, however his attempt went wide of the frame.
The Battery trailed 0-1 going into the break, despite totaling more shots, shots on target and a higher xG (expected goals) of 1.74 to Pittsburgh’s 0.15.
Charleston came out of the break with the same pressure they applied at the end of the first half as they looked to find an equalizer. However, the hosts were unable to record a shot in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
The Battery’s breakthrough moment came in the 67th minute when Aaron Molloy struck with a sensational goal from just outside the box to the top corner of the net, leveling the score 1-1. The play was initiated by Juan David Torres with a pass forward to Myers, who then laid off the ball to Molloy with a clever maneuver. From there, the Irish midfielder took a few touches forward and then fired a right-footed dipping shot to the top corner.
The goal and assist were the first for Molloy and Myers, respectively.
With momentum in their favor, the Battery began to overwhelm Pittsburgh in search of a second goal. Torres nearly did that just minutes after Molloy’s strike with a shot on target off a free kick that was barely saved off the post, and Johnny Klein’s follow-up attempt off the rebound was able to be saved.
Charleston took the lead in the 80th minute when Jennings scored the breakthrough goal, a bit of redemption for the forward to fire the Battery ahead, 2-1. Torres again pulled the strings to create the opportunity with a perfect pass to Jennings, who was charging into the box. From there, Jennings delivered a decisive strike to the far post, his fourth consecutive game with a goal.
The goal was Jennings’ fifth of the season and the assist was Torres’ second. It was also Jennings’ 70th career goal in the USL Championship regular season, the 10th-most all-time in league history.
A noteworthy moment occurred in the 91st minute when Mark Segbers entered the game off the bench to record his first appearance of 2025.
In the final 10 minutes plus stoppage time that remained, Charleston tightened their grip on the game to see out the result. After the score went to 2-1, Pittsburgh only managed two last-ditch shots that were both blocked before the final whistle.
Charleston secured the 2-1 win over Pittsburgh in the 45th all-time meeting between the clubs, the second consecutive victory for the Battery. It was a deserved three points for the Battery, who outshot Pittsburgh 18 to six (eight to two on target) and controlled 63% possession.
The completed comeback advances the Battery’s record to 3W-2L-0D (9pts), ascending the side to third in the Eastern Conference standings, as of writing.
Jennings’ five goals keep him in a tie for the league’s Golden Boot race, alongside Abdellatif Aboukoura of Loudoun United FC, as of writing.
Torres had a productive day on both sides of the ball, with an assist, four chances created, four successful dribbles and eight duels won.
Molloy led the match with 66 completed passes in addition to his equalizer.
Charleston’s win gives them a leg up in the Old Guard Shield, where the winner will be decided in the reverse fixture on August 16.
Head Coach Ben Pirmann, defender Leland Archer and midfielder Aaron Molloy addressed the media after the match, with key quotes to follow.