The Charleston Battery turned in the performance of the year so far with a 6-0 demolishing of Las Vegas Lights FC on Saturday at Patriots Point. Nick Markanich scored four goals, including a hat trick in the first half, and goals by MD Myers and Aaron Molloy added to the rout.
The Battery’s six goals matched the club’s single-game best in their USL Championship era, matching a mark set in 2017. Charleston are now nine games unbeaten to start the year atop the USL Championship table.
Nick Markanich wasted no time in starting the scoring, finding the back of the net in the 4th minute, assisted by Emilio Ycaza. Charleston cut through the Las Vegas defense with relative ease before Markanich’s first-time strike set the tone for the day. It was Markanich’s fourth consecutive game with a goal.
MD Myers doubled the Battery’s lead in the 22nd minute after Markanich’s pressure forced Las Vegas into a nervy situation in their own box. Markanich played the ball to Myers for a tap-in on an open net. The M&M Boys’ combination yielded Myers’ sixth goal of the year, and his fourth consecutive game with a goal.
Another heavy application of pressure by the Battery produced their third goal of the day at the half-hour mark. Myers’ run toward goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena jarred the ball loose at right to Markanich’s feet roughly 20 yards away from an empty goal. Markanich curled the ball into the net to make the score 3-0.
Markanich sealed the first half hat trick in the 37th minute from the penalty spot. The Battery were awarded a spot attempt after Ycaza was fouled in the box by Jean-Claude Ngando. Markanich’s conversion earned him the first hat trick of his professional career.
The Battery took a commanding 4-0 lead into halftime despite holding 40% possession.
When play resumed, Markanich picked up right where he started. The attack netted his fourth goal of the game, known as a haul or a poker, in the 48th minute with a perfect strike to the far post, assisted by Juan David Torres.
At the time of scoring, Markanich’s count of 11 goals so far this year totaled more than 18 Championship clubs have scored as a team.
Play began to settle with the Battery holding a 5-0 lead as the second half played on. Aaron Molloy, however, added the team’s sixth goal of the afternoon in the 81st minute with a stunning shot from about 30 yards out, assisted by Mark Segbers.
The Battery saw out the remaining time for the dominant 6-0 victory over Las Vegas. Charleston’s record improves to 6W-0L-3D (21pts), with a goal differential of +17, placing them firmly atop the USL Championship standings.
Goalkeeper Adam Grinwis recorded his fourth shutout of the year after a relatively light day at the office, making one save. As of writing, that mark puts him in a tie for the league lead for shutouts.
Lineups and Scoring Summary:
CHS: Grinwis, Dossantos, Smith (Palma, 78’), Archer, Segbers, Allan, Molloy (Dean, 84’), Torres (LaCava, 61’), Ycaza (Crawford, 69’), Markanich (Gutierrez, 61’), Myers (Drack, 69’)
LOU: Arozarena, Garcia, Klimenta (Sargis, 81’), Hafferty (Smart, 58’), Samake (Bennett, 58’), Asante (Nigro, 58’), Ngando, Noel, Adams (Azcona, 66’), Gannon, Alba (Gyau, 58’)
Scoring Summary:
CHS - Nick Markanich (Emilio Ycaza), 4’
CHS - MD Myers (Nick Markanich), 22’
CHS - Nick Markanich, 30’
CHS - Nick Markanich, 37’
CHS - Nick Markanich (Juan David Torres), 49’
CHS - Aaron Molloy (Mark Segbers), 81’
