Carolina shuts out Charleston

Railhawks 2, Battery 0

Cary, N.C. — The Charleston Battery lost 2-0 to the Carolina Railhawks on Saturday night in USL First Division soccer action at at SAS Stadium in front of 4,257.

Carolina scored twice in the second half, including one from the penalty spot, to earn its second win over the Battery this season.

The loss dropped Charleston to a record of 5-5-3, 18 points.

Having played less than 24 hours after a 2-1 win over the Atlanta Silverbacks at Blackbaud, coach Anhaeuser elected to rest several starters.

The first chance of the game fell to the Railhawks in the third minute. Midfielder Kupono Low broke a tackle 25 yards out and fired in a hard shot. Battery goalkeeper Keith Wiggans scrambled to his left, but did not have to make a save as the ball rose over the bar.

Defender Tim Karalexis made a clearing header off the line in the 37th minute after some sustained Railhawks pressure. The ball ended up in Charleston's goal from the ensuing passage of play but was dissallowed for offsides.

Charleston responded with a chance of their own in the 41st minute with a hard shot from Mike Richardson. The ball dipped at the last minute but the goalkeeper hung on to make the save.

Carolina midfielder Stephen Long scored the first goal with a shot from 12 yards out in the 66th minute.

Ten minutes later it was 2-0, as Kupono Low hit home a spot kick after Karalexis was judged to have brought down Connaly Edozien in the box.

Toward the end of the game, the Battery pushed forward looking for a way back, but the Railhawks defended well, and held on for the win.

--The Carolina RailHawks joined members of the Cary Professional Firefighters association and the Morrisville Fire Department at the game to collect donations for the Charleston Nine.

--The Battery returns to Blackbaud Stadium on Tuesday to take on the El Paso Patriots in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup at 7:30 p.m.

The winner will host defending MLS champion the Houston Dynamo on July 10.