The Charleston Battery MLS team will host the 2012 USL Pro Championship game this Saturday, Sept. 8 after a nail-biting win against the Rochester Rhinos in last Friday’s semifinal. Convinced they were in for a loss, the game took a turn for the better as Tony Donatelli leveled out the score in the 90th minute, giving the Battery a second chance with penalty kicks that lasted for seven rounds. JC Mack sealed the deal with the winning kick, leading the team to the Championship game.
The Battery will take on the Wilmington Hammerheads at Blackbaud Stadium in hopes of winning the championship for the second time, their last USL Pro Championship win being in 1996. Charleston Battery midfielder Nicki Paterson and forward Jose Cuevas have both been named to the USL PRO All-League First Team. Paterson has rounded out the season with 12 goals scored and Cuevas has contributed a total of 7 goals in his time with the Battery, which gives more than enough hope to Battery fans that the team will have enough talent behind them to snag the Championship for a second time.
With a 2-1 victory over the Battery on Aug. 4 on the brain, the Hammerheads will surely be bringing the heat. They took home bragging rights for winning the USL Pro Select League Championship in 2003 and will be trying for the big title in the USL Pro Championship game on Saturday.
Blackbaud Stadium will open its gates to fans at 6 p.m. with kick-off set for 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale online or at the stadium for as low as $10. If you’re a College of Charleston student, make sure to bring that student I.D. with you to get a $5 ticket. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (843) 971-GOAL (4625) or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.
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