By: Battery Media
The Charleston Battery triumphed 3-0 on Saturday over New York Red Bulls II in front of a buzzing Labor Day weekend crowd at Patriots Point. Charleston were led by goals from Aidan Apodaca, Romario Piggott (PK) and Augustine Williams to secure their first home win over New York in club history. Hugo Fauroux tallied his second clean sheet of the season. Charleston swept Red Bulls II with the victory after previously beating New York on the road in August.
The first quarter-hour began with neither side able to find an advantage as the defenses held firm. Aidan Apodaca recorded the first shot in the 4th minute, a strike just wide of the far post. New York had a dangerous opportunity in the 10th minute via John Murphy with a shot in transition but goalkeeper Hugo Fauroux came off his line to make a sliding kick-save.
Charleston broke open the match in the 17th minute when Aidan Apodaca scored off a counterattack initiated by Romario Piggott. The Panamanian midfielder intercepted New York's pass in the defensive third and led the counter down the field, eventually finding Apodaca inside the box. Apodaca needed only one touch and slotted the shot perfectly inside the near post for his fifth goal of the season, assisted by Piggott. It was also his third goal against Red Bulls II this year.
The Battery stayed on the front foot and were eager to add to their lead in the first half. Their pressure paid off when they won a corner kick that led to a penalty being awarded for a foul inside the box by John Murphy. Piggott would take the shot from the penalty spot and tuck the ball inside the right post. The goal was his third of the year.
As the half wore on, the Battery tightened their grip and would hold New York without a shot through to halftime. Charleston took the 2-0 lead into the break while also holding 55% of possession.
Charleston aimed to keep the foot on the gas pedal and won a corner kick just minutes into the second half. AJ Paterson nearly added a third goal with a first-time shot off Robbie Crawford's corner kick, but goalkeeper AJ Marcucci managed to make the save. Despite the quick start to the half, the game began to tone down without many clear chances for either side.
The Battery's defense continued to limit New York and Fauroux was not called into action again after his initial save. The match was firmly put to rest in stoppage time when Augustine Williams scored in the 93rd minute. Andrew Booth started the play with a long pass down the field to Williams and the Sierra Leone striker won the foot race to the ball. From there, Williams put on a clinical display to bury the goal, his 14th of the season.
Saturday's victory clinched the Battery's first-ever win over New York Red Bulls II at home. The shutout also cemented Fauroux's second clean sheet of the season.
