By: Battery Media
The Charleston Battery dismantled Loudoun United FC, 3-0, in an assertive victory in front of a record-setting crowd of over 4,000 at Patriots Point on Friday. Augi Williams scored early to set the tone and Nick Markanich bagged two goals in the second half for the Battery's ninth win of the USL Championship season. The result puts an exclamation mark on the club's commencement of the second half of the regular season.
Charleston applied pressure to Loudoun early and often, looking to grab the night's first goal. After a handful of close chances, Augi Williams put the Battery ahead with his ninth goal of the season, across all competitions, after redirecting Beto Avila's cross past former Charleston goalkeeper Hugo Fauroux. The assist was Avila's second of the year.
The Battery maintained their pressure as they aimed to add to their early lead. The up-tempo offense led to the hosts drawing a red card against Loudoun's Jace Clark, who made a last-man foul against Avila just before reaching the 18-yard box. The visitors carried on with 10 men for the remainder of the night.
Despite creating more chances through halftime, the Battery's lead held at 1-0 into the interval.
Out of the break, Dante Polvara nearly doubled Charleston's lead with a first-time strike following a corner kick but the shot rocked off the near post.
Charleston added to their tally when Nick Markanich scored his first goal of the night with a perfectly-placed header in the 61st minute, assisted by Arturo Rodriguez off a corner kick. Markanich went relatively unmarked and capitalized on the defensive breakdown. The Battery's grip on the match continued to tighten following the 2-0 lead and with the one-man advantage.
Markanich earned his second goal of the night in the 71st minute, putting on a sensational display of skill inside the box to score the brace. Rodriguez played the ball to Markanich and Nick weaved through Loudoun in a tight space to tuck the ball inside the near post. The brace was Markanich's second of the season and his ninth goal across all competitions this year.
Rodriguez's two assists brought his season total to three, tied for second-most on the team.
Loudoun thought they pulled a goal back in the 78th minute, but the flag was raised for offside in the build-up.
The Battery's hold on the match wouldn't waver and the hosts secured the 3-0 victory after five minutes of stoppage time. The dominant victory closed out the month on a high note for Charleston.
Goalkeeper Trey Muse made two saves en route to his seventh clean sheet of 2023. As of writing, the seven shoutouts ties him for the league lead.
The victory was a perfect sendoff for midfielder Dante Polvara, who completed his loan with the Battery following the match and will return to Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen FC for their preseason.
