CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery have won four games in a row now after topping Bethlehem Steel FC 2-1 at MUSC Health Stadium on Saturday evening. Bethlehem controlled the first half in Charleston, having 57.6 percent of the ball while also creating the better scoring opportunities; however, the Battery ended the half on top thanks to Ataulla Guerra. Gordon Wild, who provided the assist for Guerra’s goal in the 44th minute of the match, scored the second of the game – a thunderous right-footed volley in the 53rd minute. Bethlehem’s only goal came via a penalty-kick conversion by Derrick Jones in the 65th minute, but the visitor did have a number of chances, especially in the first half, to find the back of the net. In the 25th minute, Michee Ngalina worked his way down the left wing and cut back inside before firing a shot on frame, but Battery goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky stood tall and punched the blast away and out of danger. Seven minutes later, Adam Najem had a quality chance to score, sending a left-footed blast towards goal, but Kuminsky made a spectacular diving save to deny Bethlehem once again. With the result, the Battery improve to 5-2-2 this year, while Steel FC falls to 2-4-2 in 2018.

• #CHSvBST: Highlights and Opta Box Score

Scoring:

44’ – CHS – Ataulla Guerra (Gordon Wild)
53’ – CHS – Gordon Wild (Neveal Hackshaw)
65’ – BST – Derrick Jones (Penalty Kick)

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Ataulla Guerra has scored a goal in three consecutive games. The Trinidadian has been one of the top goal-scorers in the USL this season, netting five goals – three game-winners. While Guerra has been on fire in recent weeks, Gordon Wild has also been on a tear of his own. In the 44th minute, he made a great run down the right wing and found himself inside the penalty box with space to make a pass across the goalmouth, and Ataulla Guerra was standing in the middle to tap in the chance. Wild then scored arguably Charleston’s best goal of the campaign thus far, hitting a volley from a cross sent in from the left wing by Neveal Hackshaw in the 53rd minute.
• 2. The Battery are on their best winning streak since 2013. From April 20 through May 11, 2013, Charleston won five consecutive games, and Saturday’s result means the team is one away from tying that impressive record. Guerra and Wild have been the stars of the season thus far for the Battery, but the collective effort of the group, especially the play of Taylor Mueller in defense and Tah Anunga in the midfield, cannot be overlooked. With two home matchups up next for the team, Charleston has a great opportunity set a new record.
• 3. Despite performing well on Saturday, Bethlehem has now lost all three away games it has played this season. The defeat to the Battery comes after Steel FC fell 2-0 to the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium on March 24 and 3-1 to Louisville City FC on April 28. While no team wants to lose on the road, all three opponents Steel FC has lost to are in position to qualify for the USL Cup Playoffs, which means Bethlehem has away games ahead of it that should be more manageable.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Gordon Wild, Charleston Battery – The forward scored a sensational volley and provided the assist on the first goal of the game, leading the Battery to victory.

Upcoming Games:

Charleston Battery vs. Ottawa Fury FC – May 19, 7 p.m. ET, MUSC Health Stadium

Bethlehem Steel FC vs. New York Red Bulls II – May 16, 5 p.m. ET, Goodman Stadium