PITTSBURGH, PA – Goals from O’Brian Woodbine and Taylor Mueller lifted the Charleston Battery over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Highmark Stadium Saturday night.
Following back-to-back losses and missing its leading scorer, Charleston relied on its veteran defense to lead the team to three points in Pittsburgh. The Battery scored two set piece goals in the first half and held the Riverhounds at bay for the majority of the match to earn the team’s sixth win of the year.
Woodbine converted a penalty in the 38th minute to open the scoring. The Jamaican outside was taken down in the box after he got behind the Pittsburgh defense to earn the penalty. Woodbine calmly slotted the spot kick into the upper left corner to give the Battery a first half lead.
Mueller doubled the lead three minutes later after the Riverhounds failed to clear a Maikel Chang free kick. Chang’s service bounced around the Highmark Stadium turf and eventually fell to Mueller. The center back made no mistake and smashed a half volley past Mauricio Vargas to double the advantage.
Pittsburgh pressed hard coming out of the break and cut Charleston’s lead in half in the 51st minute. Robbie Vincent, on loan from DC United, collected a loose ball about 35 yards out and unleashed a shot that went through a few bodies and beat Alex Tambakis at the back post.
The Riverhounds continued to ask questions of the Battery defense for the remainder of the match, but the Shawn Ferguson-less back four limited Pittsburgh’s clear scoring opportunities. Ferguson and Justin Portillo started on the bench in Pittsburgh, missing their first minutes of the season in all competitions.
The win temporarily moves the Battery into second place with 21 points and improves Charleston’s overall record to 6-3-3 and road record to 2-2-2. The team will return home to MUSC Health Stadium on 6/11 to face Orlando City B.
Box Score:
CHARLESTON BATTERY: Alex Tambakis, O’Brian Woodbine (goal, 39th), Taylor Mueller (goal, 42nd), Forrest Lasso, Emmanuel Adjetey, Zach Prince, Neveal Hackshaw (Shawn Ferguson, 81st), Ataulla Guerra (Jose Nazareno, 88th), Maikel Chang (Dante Marini, 45th), Ricky Garbanzo (yellow card, 68th) (Justin Portillo, 76th), Heviel Cordoves (Chris Tsonis, 62nd; yellow card, 66th).
Unused substitutes: Odisnel Cooper
PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS: Mouricio Vargas, Jorden Murrell, Willie Hunt, Sergio Campbell (red card, 94th), Drew Russell, Rob Vincent (goal, 51st), Michael Green, Lebo Moloto (Duwayne Ewart, 81st), Stephon Okai (Zak Boggs, 74th), Kevin Kerr, Corey Hertzog
Unused substitutes: Hunter Gilstrap, Conor Branson, Isaiah Schafer, Mick Kalarah, James Bissue, Nick Kolarac
