BATTERY LOSES THRILLER TO MILWAUKEE Club record win streak ends at eleven

 The Charleston Battery lost to the Milwaukee Rampage tonight (Saturday, July 6, 2002) at Blackbaud Stadium by a score of one goal to none in front of 3,964. Rampage forward, John Wolnyiec scored the only goal of the game midway through the second half. The Battery drops to 14-2-1, 62 points but remains in first place in the A-League Southeast Division. The Rampage improves to 10-3-1, 44 points, first in the Central Division. The loss ends the Battery’s Club record win streak at eleven games.

Both sides had good scoring chances in the first period. Rampage midfielder, Igor Soso hit the crossbar in the 17th minute with a hard drive from outside the box. Moments later the Battery replied as Jake Edwards’ fierce left-footed half-volley was palmed over the top by Dan Popik.

The decisive goal came in the 58th minute. Midfielder, Steve Bernal played a hopeful ball forward. Defender Linval Dixon fell as he attempted to pass it back to goalkeeper, Todd Hoffard. John Wolnyiec seized the opportunity and ran onto the loose ball, slotting it calmly past Hoffard.

Chasing a goal, Charleston turned up the pressure. Edwards was replaced by Paul Conway and Diaz Arce by Collin Phillips. In the 67th minute the Battery had a goal disallowed, Kyle Swords was adjudged to have handled the ball before he shot it past Popik.

In the 83rd minute, Conway almost leveled it but his flashing header was just wide of the target. The final score, Charleston Battery 0 – Milwaukee Rampage 1.

Article from WayBack Machine.