The Charleston Battery defeated the Seattle Sounders 2-1 Friday night at Quest Field. Ben Hollingsworth and substitute forward Teba McKnight both tallied as the Battery improves to 12-8-6, 42 points good for 3rd position in the USL First Division. The win also earns the Battery a playoff berth; the Club's first since 2003.
Charleston came close in the 4th minute after Omar Daley played a cross in from the right side. Ian Fuller challenged Seattle goalkeeper Chris Eyelander who dropped the ball at the edge of the six-yard box. The ball bounced towards goal but the Sounder managed to hook it away to safety.
Battery goalkeeper Dusty Hudock saved a Danny Jackson header on the goal-line a minute later after Settle had forged forward and earned a corner-kick.
Charleston's best chance of the half came in the 24th minute after Daley slipped apass through the middle for Ben Hollingsworth to run onto. Hollingsworth controlled the ball but was tackled as he fired a shot at goal and the ball flew wide for a corner-kick.
In the 42nd minute Seattle striker Maykel Galindo found himself unmarked inside the penalty-area. Galindo steadied himself before shooting but his attempt flew wide of the goal.
Hollingsworth finally broke the deadlock in the 54th minute after Armando Romero sent a looping pass for ward to him. Hollingsworth dribbled into the box then hammered a left-footed half-volley past Eyelander and into the goal.
The Sounders fought back gamely and equalized in the 76th minute through Maykel Galindo. Galindo drove a shot past Hudock after a low cross into the middle from Jamal Sutton.
The game-winner came in the 89th minute after Charleston earned a deep throw-in. Tim Karalexis hurled the ball into the middle for Teba McKnight who snapped home a header from ten yards out.
The Battery concludes its three game road trip on Sunday with a fixture versus the Portland Timers; kick off is set for 9:00 PM (CNN 1450AM / charlestonbattery.com).