Gordon Wild scored twice as the Charleston Battery defeated Indy Eleven, 2-1, at MUSC Health Stadium Wednesday night. The win extends the Battery’s unbeaten streak to five games.
Charleston started on the front foot looking for an early opening goal. The hosts closed down quickly and pressured high up the field into a mistake.
The Battery broke through in the 22nd minute after Tah Brian Anunga received the ball in midfield and sprayed it wide to Nico Rittmeyer. Rittmeyer found Gordon Wild who turned and took a few touches towards goal before curling a left-footed shot into the top corner of Owain Fon Williams’ goal from 30 yards out.
Indy Eleven almost drew themselves level minutes after Wild’s opening goal through Carlyle Mitchell. Mitchell turned a free header from Ayoze Garcia’s inswinging corner kick on frame, forcing Odisnel Cooper to make a reaction save to keep the Battery in front.
The visitors were able to equalize 15 minutes into the second half. Forward Ben Speas picked the ball up in transition and and flicked a pass through the Battery center backs in the direction of Eugene Starikov’s run. Starikov latched onto the pass and calmly chipped Cooper to level the score.
As time wound down, the Battery looked to be heading towards their fourth draw in five games until Wild broke free on a counter attack. Neveal Hackshaw started the counter after an Indy Eleven free kick fell at the top of the Battery’s box in the 85th minute.
Hackshaw found Anunga who played the ball forward to Jarad van Schaik. Wild received a pass from van Schaik on the run and found himself 1v1 with his defender. The German forward dribbled past Seth Moses a tucked the ball in past Williams and into the side netting for his second goal of the match and sixth of the season.
“Our backs were against the wall there at the end,” said Battery Head Coach Mike ANhaeuser. “We were giving up some chances, so it was great to get the second goal and the three points at home. I think that will take a big burden off of our shoulders, since we’ve had a string of ties the last few games.”
The win moves the Battery into a tie with Louisville City FC for third place in the Eastern Conference. The Battery will host the defending USL Champions Saturday night at MUSC Health Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
CHARLESTON – Odisnel Cooper, Leland Archer, Taylor Mueller, Neveal Hackshaw, Jay Bolt (O’Brian Woodbine, 77), Tah Brian Anunga, Ryan Arambula, Nico Rittmeyer, Gordon Wild (goal, 22; 85), Victor Mansaray (Jarad van Schaik, 64), Patrick Okonkwo (Ataulla Guerra, 70)
Substitutes – Joe Kuzminsky, Kotaro Higashi, Angelo Kelly, Vincenzo Candela
INDY – Owain Fon Williams, Ayoze Garcia, Seth Moses, Carlyle MItchell, Karl Ouimette, Tyler Pasher (Soony Saad, 55), Nico Matern, Matt Watson, Juan Guerra (Zach Steinberger, 77), Eugene Starikov (goal, 59), Ben Speas (Jack McInerny, 81)
Substitutes – Ben Lundgaard, Brad Ring, Brad Rusin, Nathan Lewis
