March 10, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Charleston Battery News Release
The Charleston Battery played North Carolina FC to a 0-0 draw at WakeMed Park on Saturday to open the 2024 USL Championship season. The Battery commanded much of the game and held North Carolina without a shot on target, but neither side could find a winner before the final whistle. It was the first meeting between the sides since 2020. Charleston had nine players make their debut for the club.
The first half of the 2024 season saw both teams uninterested in giving any meaningful ground early on. Charleston’s defense was tested early, however, Leland Archer and Mark Segbers each made clinical interventions with sliding stops through the initial 20 minutes.
Much of the Battery’s offensive advances came via the right side with Mark Segbers and Jake LaCava but the NCFC defense held firm. Nick Markanich nearly scored the opener in the 33rd minute after a good through ball by Segbers, forcing goalkeeper Jake McGuire into a decisive save.
Charleston and North Carolina went into the half tied at 0-0. The Battery held a firm majority of possession at just over 70%.
The second half began with much of the same intensity as the initial 45 minutes. Neither side could find a foothold through the hour-mark.
Head Coach Ben Pirmann looked to tilt the run of the game with substitutions, which saw Juan David Torres, Diego Gutierrez, Jackson Conway, and Nathan Dossantos make their Battery debuts at various points in the second half.
The Battery’s defense continued to remove threats from the hosts and would hold North Carolina without a shot on target all match, the first time since 2019 that NCFC didn’t have a shot on target in a league match.
Charleston came close to grabbing a late winner with a shot by Torres in the 89th minute from the edge of the box. Torres’ curling effort went just over the crossbar.
After six minutes of stoppage time, the Battery and North Carolina shared the points in the 0-0 draw. The result means the winner of the Southern Derby will be determined in the reverse fixture at Patriots Point on June 28.
Battery goalkeeper Adam Grinwis logged his first clean sheet of the season, a commendable club debut for the shot-stopper.
Midfielder Aaron Molloy, also making his Battery debut, led the match in chances created (three), duels won (eight), and successful dribbles (two, tied).
Defenders Graham Smith and Josh Drack and forward Jake LaCava also made their Battery debuts on…
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