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Louisville Ends One Streak, Continues Another

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 05/29/16, 8:42AM EDT

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City records fifth consecutive shutout in ending Battery's two-year long home undefeated streak


Photo courtesy Charleston Battery

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Last season, while its attack drew most of the plaudits, at the base of Louisville City FC’s success was a solid back line that conceded the third-fewest goals in the Eastern Conference.

After seeing goals leak away early in the 2016 season, Saturday night’s 2-0 win against the Charleston Battery marked a continuance of the return to form the side had been looking for, with a fifth consecutive shutout the foundation for an important win for the Eastern Conference leaders.

“I think everyone is working as a collective unit; communicating and working hard to limit opportunities for the opposition,” said goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh. “It’s great to get an early goal and letting the nerves kind of go away.”

The early goal by George Davis IV proved key in a tight game played in difficult, rainy conditions at MUSC Health Stadium. While continuing its own streak, Louisville brought to an end one of the most historic streaks in the USL, as the Battery fell on home turf in the league for the first time since May 10, 2014 against Wilmington Hammerheads FC.

The conditions, though, may have played a role in the win. With the slick surface allowing City to zip its passes around and through the Battery’s midfield, the visitors were able to maintain the upper hand even before Romario Williams’ red card early in the second half, by which time Louisville had already established its two-goal lead.

“I think the conditions actually helped us,” said Davis. “We like to play fast and the surface was slick out there. It’s always tough to play in Charleston, but I think we were ready to go tonight.”

For their part, the Battery were somewhat philosophical about seeing the streak come to an end. After falling to Louisville in the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2015 USL Playoffs in their last meeting, Charleston had a chance to draw level on points with City at the top of the Eastern Conference on Saturday night, only to see those hopes dissipate in the rain.

“It’s tough that the streak ended, but we knew sooner or later the loss was going to come and unfortunately it was tonight against a decent team that plays well in these conditions,” said Battery Coach Mike Anhaeuser.

With both teams facing big midweek games in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, both Louisville and Charleston won’t have too much time to reflect on what could be a key result at the end of the regular season for both teams.

Louisville, though, will go into its contest with Indy Eleven on Wednesday night hoping its league form translates into another good run in the tournament.

“We have big matches ahead, with the Open Cup and Orlando B in the league on the weekend,” said Coach James O’Connor. “This match is behind us now and we need to improve and get ready for the next massive fixture.”

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