Battery held by Dutch Lions - Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports

The Charleston Battery tied the Dayton Dutch Lions 0-0 in their final regular season match on Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium in front of 4,599.  The Battery has advanced to the post-season but must wait on results from Sunday's games to find out if they will host a quarterfinal match next Saturday night or have to play on the road. 

"Dayton defended well and we couldn't seem to break them down to finish our chances," said Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser. "I thought we played well and kept the ball moving at a high tempo but we just couldn't quite find the finish we were looking for."

In the first half the Charleston Battery put pressure on the Dayton Dutch Lions with several near goal opportunities.  Midfielder Jose Cuevas had the closest chance when Tony Donatelli served a ball in behind the Dayton defenders on top of the goal line.  Cuevas took a one-time shot that somehow managed to fall wide of the target.

While the Battery held majority of the possession they failed to hit their shots on frame and forced Dayton goalkeeper Matt Williams to make few saves.

The Battery started the second half of the match strong when midfielder Nicki Paterson was taken down in the box.  Paterson stepped up to take the penalty shot placing it low to the right corner of the net but Dayton goalkeeper Matt Williams made a diving save to keep the game even.

In stoppage time Cuevas found himself free on goal again with what looked like it was going to be a game winner but his shot just barely nicked the post. 

2012 Charleston Battery Player Awards:

Betsy McAdams Newcomer of the Year Award: Jose Cuevas

Derek Revord Memorial Defender of the Year Award: John Wilson

Charleston Battery Offensive Player of the Year: Nicki Paterson

David Vaughn Memorial Award: Colin Falvey

Nigel Cooper Player of the Year Award: Nicki Paterson

Charleston Battery: Andrew Dykstra, John Wilson, Cody Ellison, Colin Falvey, Mike Azira, Taylor Mueller (Wiltse), Tony Donatelli (Mack), Ryan Richter (Kelly), Amadou Sanyang (Boyd), Nicki Paterson, Jose Cuevas

SHOTS: 23; SAVES: 0; FOULS: 2; CORNER KICKS: 7; OFFSIDES: 0; PENALTY KICKS: Nicki Paterson; CAUTIONS: Jose Cuevas; EJECTIONS: (NONE)

Dayton Dutch Lions: Matt Williams, Greg Preciado, Nixon Dias, Mettin Copier, Shane Smith (Degroot), Eric Robinson (Jones), Mikael McNamara, Joel DeLass, Daniel Howarty (Earman), Eric Kissinger (Garner), Taylor Lord (Bardsley)

SHOTS: 4; SAVES: 0; FOULS: 2; CORNER KICKS: 0; OFFSIDES: 2; PENALTY KICKS: (NONE); CAUTIONS: Copier, Dias, Jones; EJECTIONS: (NONE