Charleston Downs Rhode Island 2-0
Ycaza brace keeps Battery on-pace for high playoff seed
The Charleston Battery used an Emilio Ycaza brace to defeat visiting Rhode Island FC Saturday night at Patriots Point in USL Championship soccer action.
The win keeps the Battery on pace for a top-four finish in the Eastern Conference and home field advantage in the upcoming playoffs.
Charleston had all the scoring chances in the first 30 minutes and had the ball in the back of the net off a free kick in the 29th minute but the play was ruled offside and the header from Sanchez was disallowed.
With things tied 1-1 at the half, it was Rhode Island forcing a Luis Zamudio save in the 46th minute off a long-range bending shot. Zamudio made another key save in the 66th minute to keep things scoreless before Koke Vegas in the Rhode Island nets made a stunning fingertip save on a Jeremy Kelly shot in the 71st minute put his stamp on the match. Zamudio would end the match with five saves while Vegas would see red just 10 minutes later.
Emilio Ycaza drew a penalty kick in the 75th minute by forcing a Rhode Island trip inside the area and Ycaza then stepped to the spot and rifled the ball low into the right corner just out of reach of the Rhode Island keeper for the 1-0 Battery lead. Cue the “dead fish” celly for Ycaza as a sense of relief flowed around Patriots Point.
The hopes of a Rhode Island comeback took a major setback in the 81st minute as Koke Vegas was caught in “no-man’s-land” outside the area in a sweeper-keeper roll as Vegas made contact with the Battery’s Colton Swan on a 50/50 ball fouling Swan and drawing a dogso Red Card.
The resulting free kick for the Koke red card foul was rocketed on target by Miguel Berry forcing a diving save from the brand-new Rhode Island keeper Jacob Castro. Castro spilled the save and Ycaza was first to the rebound to tap the bouncing ball over Castro and into the net for the 2-0 Charleston lead in the 84th minute.
Neither team had a solid look at the goal over the final few minutes and the match ended 2-0 to the Battery.
“(The result is)Massive. I think it's been a big matchup that we've had between Rhode Island and us,” said Battery Captain Emilio Ycaza. “We had a tough result over there earlier in the season, but I think we've really hit a rhythm. We've started to get on a little bit of a run, so to score two goals, here at home was a statement win. So to win 2-0 tonight, with a bye week, you know, sitting nicely on the table. We're proud of it.”
“Yeah, I think overall it was just a great performance from everyone,” finished Ycaza.. “We were able to hold the ball in the attacking third, create chances, and then pick up the second ball. So I think it was a really tough day for them.”
Charleston will enjoy next weekend off and then host fierce rivals Louisville City on October 10.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PREMIER MEDIA GROUP / NATIONAL SOCCER NETWORK /
NATIONAL SOCCER NETWORK ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561215500230
— All Rights Reserved, Premier Media Group / National Soccer Network
Comments