August 25, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charleston Battery News Release
CHARLESTON, SC – The Charleston Battery demolished Orange County SC by a score of 6-0 on Saturday at Patriots Point. The night was highlighted by Nick Markanich’s hat trick and MD Myers’ brace off the bench, along with a goal from Arturo Rodriguez before halftime. Both teams picked up red cards during the night. The Battery’s victory was an important bounce-back performance as they fight to regain ground in the Players’ Shield (regular season title) race.
Charleston’s night got off to an ideal start as their early pressure forced Orange County into a catastrophic error. Juan David Torres played a perfect cross into the box to a charging Nick Markanich, and Markanich was brought down in the box by OCSC’s Ryan Doghman in the 5th minute. Doghman was shown a straight red card for the last-man foul, reducing the visitors to 10 men for effectively the entire match.
Markanich stepped up and converted from the penalty spot to give the Battery a 1-0 lead in the 7th minute. The goal was his 22nd of the year.
Orange County were not without their moments and attempted to level the score despite being down a man. Mark Segbers stopped a promising counterattack opportunity for the hosts in the 13th minute, tracking back to neutralize the threat.
The Battery’s pressure continued to intensify as the half wore on. Jackson Conway almost scored in the 31st minute with a big chance that went off the crossbar. Torres sent in a powerful shot minutes later that forced a spectacular save by goalkeeper Colin Shutler.
Charleston doubled their lead in the 39th minute when Arturo Rodriguez struck from outside the box. The Mexican midfielder was at the right spot to redirect OCSC’s half-clearance back toward goal and did so with a perfect first-time hit. Rodriguez’s shot tucked into the near post to make the score 2-0 heading into halftime.
The goal was Rodriguez’s second of the season.
Charleston took the 2-0 lead into halftime after a dominant first 45 minutes.
The Battery picked up where they left off as play resumed in the second half and quickly added to their lead.
Markanich delivered a sensational goal in the 48th minute to make the score 3-0. Torres played the initial ball into the box off the free kick, which then found its way to Markanich in the middle of the box. From there, Markanich struck the ball off the volley with a scissor kick to the top corner.
The goal was Markanich’s…