By: Battery Media
The Charleston Battery wrapped up their 2022 season on Saturday with a 1-1 draw with Loudoun United FC in front of a sold-out crowd at Patriots Point. Geobel Perez Jr. scored late in the match to earn the Battery a point. Saturday's result closes the chapter on the club's 30th season as the Black and Yellow will shift their focus to preparations for the 2023 campaign.
The season finale began with a relatively calm start for both sides in the warm October sun. Charleston held most of the early chances as Fidel Barajas led the charge up top. Barajas went for goal in the 11th minute off the volley of an AJ Paterson long ball that went just wide of the far post. A minute later, he dribbled past a Loudoun defender and crossed the ball into the box to Augi Williams, but the striker's glancing header was also wide of the far post.
Goalkeeper Daniel Kuzemka registered the first save of the match in the 15th minute after a Loudoun corner kick. The visitors managed to strike first in the 26th minute when Kimarni Smith scored following a counter-attack. This came despite the Battery holding over 65% of possession through the half-hour mark.
Smith looked to add another goal in the 42nd minute with a dangerous opportunity inside the box, but Preston Kilwien made a sliding block at the last second to deny the shot. Loudoun's 1-0 advantage held to halftime.
Play resumed in the second half with Charleston searching for an equalizer. Andrew Booth nearly did that in the 51st minute with a shot that went just wide of the far post. Charleston were unable to build momentum through the hour-mark despite holding nearly 70% of possession in the opening 15 minutes of the half. Dennis Sanchez made a series of offensive-minded substitutions with Geobel Jr. and Mauro Cichero entering the match midway through the half.
Charleston leveled the score in the 86th minute when Geobel Jr. slotted home the match-tying goal from inside the box. He and Cichero ran a series of passes into the final third that Loudoun weren't quick enough to react to. The goal was Geobel's third of the season and the assist was Cichero's second, the tally sent the sold-out Patriots Point crowd into a frenzy.
The Battery came close to pulling ahead in stoppage time after Williams and Barajas each registered shots, but neither could get past goalkeeper Luis Zamudio. Charleston and Loudoun ended their respective seasons sharing the points.
Saturday's finale featured a pair of notables for Battery players. Leland Archer made his 100th appearance for the club and Barajas made his first home appearance for the Black and Yellow.
