By: Battery Media
The Charleston Battery earned all three points in a 0-1 road victory at New Mexico United in front of a crowd of over 9,000 at Isotopes Park on Saturday. Augi Williams came off the bench and scored the match-winning goal in the 74th minute. Trey Muse recorded three saves en route to his 10th shutout of the season. The win brings the Battery within two points of clinching a playoff spot, which could be decided in their next match, at Patriots Point on Sat., Sept. 9.
The Battery started the night by dominating possession early, with over 65% retained through the quarter-hour mark. Goalkeeper Trey Muse made the first save of the night in the 4th minute with a routine denial of Amando Moreno.
Charleston kept up the tempo against the hosts, making more passes in the opposition's half, but clear chances were hard to come by. Nick Markanich saw his shot on target in the 21st minute saved by Andrew Thomas and Tristan Trager's strike in the 43rd minute was just wide of the post. The two sides went into the interval scoreless.
Play resumed for the second half with Charleston and New Mexico looking to make the decisive moment and break the deadlock. Robbie Crawford came up big in the 59th minute to block Harry Swartz's shot inside the box.
The defining play would come in the 74th minute when Augi Williams, fresh off the bench, scored the go-ahead goal off a set-piece situation. Arturo Rodriguez, who subbed in with Williams, lifted a free kick into the box that was headed back centrally by Leland Archer. Markanich then redirected the ball toward goal and Williams provided the final glancing header to place the ball up into the net.
Williams brings his goal total to 12 across all competitions. The assist was Markanich's second of the year.
Following Williams' tally, New Mexico turned up the heat in search of an equalizer. Their efforts were threatening, but none could get past Muse, who registered three saves during the evening.
Charleston would hold on for their first-ever victory over New Mexico, a 0-1 triumph. The second consecutive victory elevates the Battery's record to 14W-7L-7D (49 pts) at third in the Eastern Conference standings.
With the win and other results in the conference, the Battery's magic number to clinch a playoff berth is 2 points, meaning a victory in their next match – at home on Sat., Sept. 9 vs. San Diego Loyal SC – would lock in Charleston's spot in postseason play.
The Battery have now won a league-leading 28 points on the road this year.
Trey Muse tallied his 10th clean sheet of the season in the victory, adding to his career-high total. He is the first Battery shot-stopper to record double-digit shutouts in a season since Joe Kuzminsky achieved the feat in 2018 with 12.
