Baresi’s Battery lose to Lions

The Charleston Battery of Amadou Sanyang fell to the Orlando City Lions by a score of two goals to one on Saturday night at the Citrus Bowl in front of a 5,602 supporters.

The win widens the gap between the first place Lions and the Battery to five points in the USL PRO tables with Charleston having played one game fewer. Orlando struck early to take the lead with a clever headed finish from forward Jean Alexandre who directed the ball past Battery goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra in the 7th minute.

The Battery response was quick and Charleston almost leveled two minutes later as Jose Cuevas appeared to be brought down in the box by the Orlando goalkeeper. As the referee waived away the Battery appeals for a penalty forward Sallieu Bundu ran onto the loose ball but his driven shot was turned away.

Charleston equalized in the 38th minute with a brilliant goal from midfielder Nicki Paterson. The Battery earned a corner on the far side that was parried clear by the Orlando defense. Paterson set himself as the ball looped out towards him and hit a stunning first time volley that dipped under the cross bar and into the goal.

The goal energized the Battery players and Charleston began to enjoy the better of the game with Paterson coming close again in the 54th minute but his right-footed effort swerved wide. The game winner was scored in the 57th minute after Charleston failed to deal with a long ball into the penalty area.

Lions midfielder Jamie Watson was first to react to the loose ball and hit a crisp finish past the outstretched hand of Dykstra. The Battery had a chance to equalize in the late going with midfielder Amadou Sanyang heading the ball on for substitute forward Dane Kelly. Kelly met the pass well but his guided finish looped wide of the goal.

Baresi’s Charleston returns to Blackbaud Stadium next Friday night for a game versus Antigua Barracuda F.C.