By: Battery Media
The Charleston Battery triumphed over Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in a thrilling 3-1 victory at Patriots Point on Saturday. In front of a crowd of over 3,700, Juan Sebastian Palma, Augi Williams and Beto Avila's goals overwhelmed the conference-leading Hounds. Fidel Barajas provided two assists, adding to his league-leading total of seven.
The Battery started the game looking to apply heavy pressure against the USL Championship's top team early on. Juan Sebastian Palma broke the match open in the 11th minute, scoring with a perfectly-placed header off Fidel Barajas' corner kick. The goal was Palma's first career professional goal and the assist was Barajas' sixth of the season.
Goalkeeper Trey Muse came up big on the opposite end, with three big saves past the latter stages of the second half, including one on a point-blank shot and another with a dive.
Augi Williams continued to press high against Pittsburgh's back line and his efforts paid off in stoppage time before halftime with a goal to put the Battery ahead, 2-0. Derek Dodson headed back a long ball from goalkeeper Jahmali Waite that made its way to Barajas, and the Mexican youth international made a clever flick to assist Williams' goal. The goal was Williams' 10th of the season, across all competitions, and Barajas' seventh assist.
Charleston took a commanding 2-0 lead into the break, despite conceding a majority of possession to Pittsburgh (46% to 54%).
Both teams came out of the break eager to find the back of the net. Williams came up big in the 52nd minute with a goalline clearance against the Hounds.
The Battery added to their lead moments later when Beto Avila was Johnny-on-the-spot to put away a cool and collected finish to make the score 3-0. Avila collected the rebound on Williams' saved shot and turned in a composed effort to tuck the shot inside the near post and outside of Waite's dive. The goal was Avila's second for the Battery this season.
Pittsburgh managed to pull a goal back past the hour-mark via former Battery midfielder DZ Harmon, cutting the score to 3-1.
Despite the goal by Pittsburgh, the Battery continued to tighten their grip on the match as the half wore on. Muse again rose to the occasion in the latter stages of the half, providing two key saves in the final 10 minutes.
Charleston secured the 3-1 victory over the Eastern Conference leaders, improving the Battery's record to 10W-5L-6D (36 pts) and elevating them to second place in the standings. The win also extended Charleston's current undefeated run to four matches.
Barajas' two assists in the match put him in sole possession of the league lead for assists with seven.
Deklan Wynne celebrated his 100th career regular season USL Championship match in the victory.
In addition to the goal, Palma led the team in recoveries (10) and aerial duels won (three, tied).
