TULSA, Okla. – The Charleston Battery dominated FC Tulsa in a 1-4 victory at ONEOK Field on Saturday for the Black and Yellow’s third consecutive victory. MD Myers bagged his first brace with the Battery, and goals from Juan David Torres and Nick Markanich put the game out of reach from the hosts. Torres’ goal was especially notable for coming from the halfway line.
The Battery’s victory, and eighth consecutive unbeaten match, sees them remain atop the USL Championship standings. Markanich is now tied for the lead in the Championship Golden Boot race.
Charleston broke open the match in the 9th minute when their No. 9 found the back of the net. MD Myers was played on by Nick Markanich’s header from Graham Smith’s initial pass, and Myers curled the ball around goalkeeper Joey Roggeveen into the net.
The goal was Myers’ fourth of the year and third in as many games. Markanich tallied his second assist of the season on the play.
At just past the half-hour mark, Juan David Torres uncorked a Goal of the Year-worthy strike from the halfway line to double the Battery’s lead. Chris Allan won the ball before playing it to Torres, and the Colombian caught Roggeveen well off his line for the goal.
Torres’ goal was his first with the Battery and the first of his career at the senior professional level.
Tulsa were awarded a penalty in the 36th minute and former Battery man Justin Portillo converted the following spot attempt, cutting the score to 1-2.
Undeterred by Tulsa’s attempt to swing momentum, the Battery made quick work to restore their two-goal lead. Markanich did just that in the 41st minute with a rebound strike to make the game 1-3. MD Myers’ initial shot hit off the far post and Markanich crashed in with a follow-up to hit to send the ball home.
Markanich’s goal was his seventh of the year, which puts him tied for the lead in the league’s Golden Boot race.
The Battery took their 1-3 lead into the half in an all-around dominant first 45 minutes. Charleston held just under 60% of possession and out-shot Tulsa, 10 to five.
Play resumed in the second half but the offensive efficiency lagged behind compared to the first 45 minutes. Neither side recorded a shot on target through the 70th minute, only eight collectively in that time (seven off target, one blocked).
As the game neared the dying embers, Myers all but sealed the victory with a header in the 84th minute to make the score 1-4. Aaron Molloy whipped in a perfect cross and Myers redirected it in with surgical precision to the far post.
Myers’ tally puts his goal count to five on the year as he notched his first brace with the Battery. The assist was Molloy’s first of the year.
Charleston saw out the game to earn their third consecutive victory by a score of 1-4. The Battery’s record improved to 5W-0L-3D (18pts), placing them atop the USL Championship standings.
In defeating Tulsa, the Battery’s undefeated streak to start the season has reached eight games, outperforming last year’s start to the league campaign of seven undefeated.
The win was a memorable one for midfielder Emilio Ycaza, who played in his 100th career USL Championship regular season match.
While the Battery dazzled in attack, defender Graham Smith led the way on defense with a match-high 12 clearances
