By: Battery Media
The Charleston Battery came up just short Saturday night, losing 2-4 to Sacramento Republic FC at Patriots Point. Early leads by the Battery, off the feet of Enock Kwakwa and Augustine Williams, were overcome by Sacramento goals as the visitors would see things out 2-4 for the win.
The evening started with intensity, indicating early on the theme of the match, as Sacramento forced a tense situation in front of the Battery goal that ultimately came up empty. Charleston broke open the game in the 4th minute when Enock Kwakwa buried his second goal of the season. The score was a product of strong build-up play from the Battery's back line that led to Alexander Dexter sending in cross into the box. His pass deflected off a Sacramento defender and Kwakwa scored off the rebound.
Both sides continued to makes advances inside the final third, and Sacramento managed to level the score when Emil Cuello scored off corner kick in the 16th minute. The Battery nearly responded in the 25th minute when Augustine Williams fired in strike on target that forced goalkeeper Carlos Saldana to make a decisive save. The visitors doubled their lead at the half-hour mark via Luther Archimède.
The Battery leveled the score in the 43rd minute after another fortunate rebound allowed Williams to score. Charlie Asensio initiated the play by finding Geobel Perez at the top of the box, who then had a shot on target get parried away by Saldana. The ball was not cleared and Williams worked the tight angle for his 11th goal of the season. On the opposite end, Zeiko Lewis reclaimed the lead for Sacramento a minute later and the 2-3 scoreline held into the break, despite the Battery holding the lion's share of possession and chances.
Play resumed with the night's intensity carrying forward from the first half. Sacramento made the most of their opportunities again and Matt LaGrassa doubled the visitors' lead in the 48th minute to make the score 2-4. The Battery looked to respond on the other end before the hour-mark with shots from Kwakwa and Dexter but neither could find the target.
Charleston pressed forward to try chipping away at Sacramento's lead while the visitors seemed to settle in more to the match, content with their two-goal lead. Sacramento were at one point held without a shot for nearly 25 minutes. The Battery nearly found the scoreboard again in the 75th minute after some strong transition play led by DZ Harmon and Romario Piggott. The play was capped by an athletic shot on target by Williams that forced Saldana into a diving save. Goalkeeper Hugo Fauroux worked to preserve scoreline when he made a strong save against Maalique Foster in the 81st minute. Republic FC were reduced in size on the bench when assistant head coach Danny Dichio was issued a straight red card in the 90th minute.
Despite the up-tempo nature of the night, things settled down in the waning moments on the pitch and Sacramento saw out the 2-4 victory.
