By: Battery Media
LEESBURG, Va. (September 16, 2023) – The Charleston Battery played to a 2-2 draw against Loudoun United FC at Segra Field on Saturday. Tristan Trager struck first just 21 seconds into the game for the Battery in what turned out to be a back-and-forth night. Nick Markanich's equalizer in the second half secured the Battery a point on the road, adding to the club's league-leading away record.
The Battery's night started as perfectly as they could have wanted to, as Tristan Trager scored the opening tally just 21 seconds into the match. The ball was not cleared by Loudoun in their defensive third and Andrew Booth played a smart header to Trager toward goal. From there, Trager clinically finished the chance for his third goal in two games. Booth was credited with the assist.
Trager's tally is tied for the fastest goal in the league so far this year.
Loudoun, however, were undeterred in defending their home. The hosts equalized in the third minute via Kalil ElMedkhar in the 3rd minute.
Charleston continued to press for a second goal as the half progressed. Promising chances came midway through the half after Pierre Reedy's header forced a save from Hugo Fauroux in the 25th minute. Nick Markanich hit the woodwork moments later.
Despite the efforts for another goal, the sides went into halftime tied at 1-1.
Both teams came out of the break searching for a breakthrough goal. Loudoun managed to take the lead in the 61st minute as Chris Hegardt found the back of the net.
However, this time it was the Battery who would make an immediate response. Markanich took a loose ball inside the box that was deflected by Emilio Ycaza and struck it perfectly off the volley to slice past Fauroux's reach and into the top corner in the 64th minute. The goal was Markanich's third against Loudoun this year and 10th across all competitions this year.
The intensity and physicality of the match began to ramp up as both teams fought for the winning goal. A total of 10 yellow cards were issued between the two sides. A key yellow card was shown to Markanich, who will now miss the next contest due to yellow card accumulation.
Charleston had two close chances in stoppage time to steal a victory. Fidel Barajas sent a close shot that was inches wide of the far post. Minutes later, Leland Archer sent in a header off a corner kick that was on target and forced a reflex save from Fauroux to keep it from going in.
Juan Sebastian Palma is shown his second card of the night in the 95th minute and was dismissed from the match and will also miss next Saturday's game.
Loudoun's defense held on to maintain the 2-2 score as the sides settled to split the points in a draw.
With the result, the Battery's record stands at 15W-7L-8D (53 pts), placing them third in the conference standings. Charleston also added to their league-leading points won from losing a position (16) and league-best points won on the road (29).
