Battery Beats Silverbacks Trout Scores Golden-Goal Winner in 92nd Minute

The Charleston Battery defeated its Southeast Division rival the Atlanta Silverbacks tonight (Saturday, May 24, 2003)  by a score of one goal to none in front of 5079 at Blackbaud Stadium. Ryan Trout scored the winner in the second minute of overtime to earn Charleston its fifth victory of the season. The Battery improves to 5-1-1, 16 points and remains in first place in the Division. The Silverbacks drop to 0-3-4, 4 points, fourth place.

Charleston dominated the first half outshooting Atlanta 10-3. Forward, Paul Conway forced a save from Atlanta goalkeeper, Bryheem Hancock in the 4th minute, as he snapped a header on-target from a Ted Chronopoulos cross.

Chronopoulos sent in a second ball a minute later, this time midfielder, Chris Goos flashed his header wide.

Forward Ryan Trout tested Hancock twice just before the break. In the 38th minute he received a nice pass from Andrew Lewis but his shot was well-saved. Two minutes later in the 40th Hancock again pulled off a save, diving to his right to deny Trout.

In the second period, it was more of the same from the Battery as they enjoyed the majority of possession. Hancock made a diving stop in the 65th minute after Paul Conway curled a left-footer towards the top right-hand corner.

In the 70th minute Charleston was awarded a penalty-kick after Trout was brought down in the box by Hancock. Paul Conway took the spot-kick but again Hancock denied him, tipping the ball around the far post for the save.

In the 90th minute Atlanta almost stole the game as forward, Martin Klinger broke free at the edge of the penalty-area. He fired the ball at the goal but his shot was saved by Charleston goalkeeper, Chris Doyle.

Two minutes into the first period of overtime, the Battery finally broke through. Trout received the ball at the half-way line. He span around and made a powerful run to the edge of the 18-yard box. He cut past a Silverback defender into the box and drove a fierce shot past Hancock at the near post for the winner.

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