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Lasso Lifts Battery past Saint Louis

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 05/13/17, 9:03PM EDT

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Fourth goal this season earns 1-0 win for Charleston


Photo courtesy Zach Bland / Charleston Battery

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery got a second-half goal by Forrest Lasso to earn a 1-0 victory against Saint Louis FC at MUSC Health Stadium on Saturday night. The Battery (6-1-1, 19pts) almost gained the lead in the 14th minute as an angled ball by Dante Marini found Romario Williams, only for Saint Louis goalkeeper Adam Grinwis to make a good save. Williams then had a one-on-one chance, but shot into the side-netting on a great counter-attack by the Battery. Grinwis was sharp again six minutes before the break to get down well to turn a shot by Williams aside, and then got help from his defense as a clearance off the line denied Battery defender Forrest Lasso’s header from a corner to keep the game scoreless at the break. Saint Louis (3-3-2, 11pts) opened the second half more brightly, but the Battery took the lead in the 62nd minute when Forrest Lasso scored his fourth goal of the season from a free kick by Justin Portillo. Charleston almost added to its lead with seven minutes to go when Ataullah Guerra volleyed off the crossbar, and Maikel Chang put the rebound just over the crossbar with a curling effort, but the Battery needed only Lasso’s goal to earn all three points.

Scoring: 
62’ – CHS – Forrest Lasso (Justin Portillo)

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. Charleston forward Romario Williams made his return to the lineup on Saturday night after missing the Battery’s victory against Bethlehem last Saturday night, and the USL’s co-leading scorer could easily have added to his six goals so far this season in a rampaging first-half performance by the Battery. Williams’ strength, and ability to make good runs in behind on the counter, were again impressive, and it took an outstanding save by Saint Louis’ Adam Grinwis to deny the Atlanta United FC loanee six minutes before halftime as his low shot from 15 yards seemed pegged for the bottom-left corner of the net.

  • 2. Saint Louis Head Coach Preki made changes at halftime and the introduction of Milan Petosevic in particular helped tilt the game toward the visitors in the opening 15 minutes of the second half. The addition of a second striker alongside Christian Volesky helped Saint Louis establish greater territorial advantage, but the Battery defense was able to hold out without allowing a shot on goal during the spell of pressure as the game remained scoreless.

  • 3. While the Battery’s front pair of Williams and Ataullah Guerra weren’t able to connect with the chances that came their way, the Battery’s reliability from set pieces came through again for the side to give it the crucial opening goal. Forrest Lasso is now the Battery’s second-leading scorer on the season, with all four of the big center back’s finishes coming off the foot of Justin Portillo. With the skillful players the Battery possess, it’s always difficult to not give away set pieces in the attacking third. Saint Louis was the latest team made to pay.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Forrest Lasso, Charleston Battery – Lasso notched the only goal of the game with a powerful header, and helped the Battery earn another home victory.

Upcoming Games:
Charleston Battery
at Harrisburg City Islanders – May 20, 7 p.m. ET, FNB Field
Saint Louis FC at Tampa Bay Rowdies – May 27, 7:30 p.m. ET, Al Lang Stadium

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