BATTERY SINKS MARINERS Diaz Arce Strikes In 2nd OT To Win Game

The Charleston Battery defeated the Hampton Roads Mariners tonight (Saturday, June 15, 2002), by one goal to none, on the road at the Sportsplex, Virginia Beach. Raul Diaz Arce scored the only goal of the game in the 104th minute, to lift Charleston over the Mariners. The match had stretched into the second OT period before Diaz Arce settled the game. Charleston improves to 10-1-1, 45 points, 1st place in the A-League Southeast division. Hampton Roads drops to 1-8-1, 5 points and remains in last place in the division.

Charleston dominated the game from start to finish. Midfielder, Kevin Anderson came close in the 4th minute. He struck the ball well from outside the box, but Mariners keeper, Joe Larson made a diving save to deny him.

In the 25th minute Larson made three saves in rapid succession to keep the scores level. In a frantic goalmouth scramble, Mac Cozier, Morgan Zeba and Steve Klein all had good shots blocked by Larson.

After the break the Battery continued in the same vein. Diaz Arce drove the ball on target at the 60 minute mark; again Larson was there to stop the goal. A few minutes later he struck again, this time the ball ended up in the back of the net, however the goal was disallowed due to an offside.

After ninety minutes elapsed, the game went into overtime. In the 95th minute Charleston was awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty area. Forward Paul Conway curled the ball around the wall but it struck the goal post and ricocheted harmlessly away.

Finally in the 104th minute the Battery scored the decisive goal. Substitute midfielder, Ryan Trout found some space on the near flank and drove the ball into the box. Diaz Arce brought it under control and snapped a shot goal-ward. The keeper, Larson got a hand to the ball but could not stop it from entering the goal. The final score, Charleston Battery 1- Hampton Roads Mariners 0.

Text from the wayback machine.