Trout Scores Three To Sink Mariners, Battery Extends A-League Win Streak To Eleven

The Charleston Battery defeated the Hampton Roads Mariners tonight (Wednesday, July 3, 2002) at Blackbaud Stadium by a score of three goals to none. 3,395 watched as second half substitute, Ryan Trout scored his first professional hat-trick to lead the Battery to victory. The win improves Charleston to 14-1-1, 62 points and 1st place in the Southeast Division. Hampton Roads drops to 2-11-2, 11 points, last in the Division.

The Battery dominated the game from start to finish. Although the first period ended scoreless Charleston outshot the Mariners 9-1 and had six corners to Hampton Roads’ none. Despite this pressure the Battery couldn’t break the Mariners defense.

Hampton Roads were reduced to ten men in the 19th minute after goalkeeper, Taly Goods deliberately handled the ball outside of his penalty area.

Forward, Jake Edwards, had a goal disallowed in the 35th minute after he was adjudged to have manhandled defender Gabe Eastman, on his way through to score.

In the second half, the Battery again enjoyed long uninterrupted periods of pressure. In the 67th minute, substiute forward, Ryan Trout, finally broke the deadlock. Midfielder, Justin Evans slotted the ball through to Trout inside the 18-yard box. Trout ran onto the pass and blasted it into the goal.

Ten minutes later he doubled Charleston’s lead. This time it was Matt Farris who supplied the though ball. Trout ran onto it, just inside the Mariners half. He used his speed to power past Eastman and broke into the box. Trout rounded the keeper with Eastman still breathing down his neck, then from an acute angle, he shot the ball into the back of the net.

In the 84th minute Trout completed his hat-trick. Again the ball was looped forward by Matt Farris, this time behind the Mariners defense. Trout latched onto the loose ball and lashed it past the goalkeeper for his third of the evening. The final score, Charleston Battery 3 – Hampton Roads Mariners 0.

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