By: Charleston Battery
The Charleston Battery defeated Savannah Clovers FC 4-1 at Patriots Point on Tuesday in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Robbie Crawford, Augi Williams, Nick Markanich and Tristan Trager scored to advance the Battery to the Third Round of the Open Cup. Charleston native Charlie Dennis made his professional debut for his hometown team during the victory. The Battery now turn their focus to Saturday for a home league match against Hartford Athletic.
Charleston opened the match on the front foot and peppered the Savannah with shots early and often. Goalkeeper Jack Pondy and the Clovers FC defense were up to the task, however, and the visitors kept the game scoreless through the first half-hour.
The Battery's pressure paid off when Robbie Crawford broke the deadlock in the 36th minute off a corner kick. Crawford returned the half-cleared corner back in and it took a deflection off a Savannah defender before going bar down for the goal. It was Crawford's second career U.S. Open Cup goal in as many appearances.
After halftime, the Battery were quick to pick up where they left off. Augi Williams, who subbed on late in the first half, made a quick impact to double the Battery's lead, assisted by AJ Paterson. Tristan Trager initiated the score with some expert hold-up play that allowed Paterson and Williams to connect.
Trager would then find the back of the net in the 62nd minute to make it 3-0, his first goal with the Battery. Newly subbed-on Deklan Wynne made an immediate impact to record the assist on the play, finding Trager inside the box for the goal. Savannah would pull a goal back in the 75th minute via Andres Sanchez.
Charleston responded quickly to Savannah's strike when substitute Nick Markanich scored just a minute later, assisted again by Wynne. The goal was Markanich's second with the club and was the final dagger to seal the 4-1 victory.
The night was one to remember for Charlie Dennis as the Charleston native made his professional debut during the win as a substitute in the 72nd minute.
With the victory, the Battery now advance to the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup, where they could be paired with an MLS team, that enter the tournament during that round. The draw for Third Round pairings will take place on Thurs., April 6 at 6:30 pm and will be streamed live on the Bleacher Report (B/R) App and B/R Football YouTube channel.
