Randi Patterson’s first-half headed goal earned the Charleston Battery a point Wednesday night with a 1-1 tie versus the Vancouver Whitecaps. The goal was Patterson’s league-leading 8th on the season; the Battery (9-4-4, 31 points) remains in first place in the USL First Division.
Charleston started brightly and took a deserved lead in the 19th minute as Stephen Armstrong played the ball wide to winger Mike Richardson on the left side. Richardson sent the ball into the middle with a curling cross and forward Randi Patterson rose above his defender to snap the header home.
Vancouver almost tied it in the 45th minute after Justin Moose won a free-kick twenty-five yards out. Moose played the ball in but forward Eduardo Sebrango’s header bounced back of the right-hand goal-post.
Vancouver continued the fight-back after the break as the Battery dug in to defend the lead. Dusty Hudock made a superb palmed save in the 70th minute to deny Alfredo Valente who lashed a shot in from the left side.
In the 75th minute Pandi Patterson was played through on goal by Ian Fuller but Patterson’s right-footed attempt sailed wide.
The Whitecaps goal came through substitute strike Charles Gbeke who headed past Dusty Hudock from close range in the 81st minute. Hudock got a hand on the ball but could not prevent it from spinning over the line.
Hudock was called into action three minutes later as Gbeke again threatened. The ball was not cleared from a corner and Gbeke latched onto it at the far-post. Gbeke turned towards goal and shot but Hudock managed to flick the ball way with an excellent diving save.
The Battery head to Seattle on Saturday for a Saturday night fixture versus the Seattle Sounders (11 PM, REAL 1340 / USLLive.com).