By: Battery Media
The Charleston Battery defeated Las Vegas Lights FC, 0-1, on Friday at Cashman Field. Augi Williams' goal and Trey Muse's penalty save in the second half were the difference in the end. Williams tallied his fifth goal of the season and Muse notched six saves en route the Battery securing their return to first place in the Eastern Conference standings.
It was an uneasy start for Las Vegas and Charleston in the opening moments of the match as the teams sized each other up and adjusted to the challenging playing surface at Cashman Field. Goalkeeper Trey Muse made the first save of the night in the 7th minute with a diving stop to deny Cubo Torres.
Derek Dodson registered Charleston's first shot on target, in the 23rd minute, but it was saved by goalkeeper Leo Diaz. Lights FC thought they had the night's opening goal in the 41st minute through Andrew Carleton, however, the referee's flag was raised for offside. Carleton tested Muse again in stoppage time with a close-range shot and Muse's reflex save kept the game scoreless into halftime. Charleston held 62% of possession in the first half.
The Battery entered the second half eager to break the deadlock with high pressure from the start. Their efforts paid off in the 58th minute when Augi Williams' pressing earned him a penalty for a foul inside the box. Williams stepped up and converted the spot attempt a minute later, his strike was too strong for Diaz's hand to stop it. The goal is Williams' sixth of the season.
Las Vegas had a chance to tie the match when they were awarded a penalty in the 72nd minute. Muse made a challenge on the ball against Carleton and pawed the ball away, but the penalty was still given. Justice was served a minute later when Muse denied Torres from the spot, preserving Charleston's 0-1 lead.
Charleston would tighten their grip on the match in the remaining minutes at Cashman Field. Muse continued to be a brick wall in keeping Las Vegas out of his net, he tallied six saves on the night in a sensational performance.
The Battery secured the 0-1 victory over Lights FC, their first against the Nevada club, and returned to first place in the Eastern Conference standings as a result. Muse notched his third clean sheet of the season, tied for third-most in the league. The club improved their unblemished away record to 3W-0L-1D.
