CHARLESTON, S.C. – Hartford Athletic scored the first goal in Club history on Saturday, falling to Charleston Battery 2-1 in a back and forth affair.

The Battery started the scoring in the 18' when Zeiko Lewis slipped behind the back line and finished a beautifully chipped ball just past the outstretched hand off Athletic keeper Jacob Lissek to take an early 1-0 lead. Charleston controlled play for much of the first half but failed to break through again. Hartford Athletic defender Raymond Lee delivered a tremendous performance and was in on goal late in the first half just missing over the bar. Charleston took a 1-0 lead into the half.

Hartford Athletic came out strong in the second half battling all over the pitch only to see Charleston's Dante Marini come off the bench to finish off the Battery's second goal after a scramble in the box in the 73'.

Hartford Athletic did not fold as the match wore on with a handball in the box delivering Hartford a chance at history in the 82'. Athletic Captain Philip Rasmussen stepped up to the ball and delivered the Club's first goal in history bringing the match to 2-1.

Athletic continued to battle to the final whistle but in the end fell short dropping their second match of the season.

Hartford Athletic will be back at it next weekend as they take on the two-time defending champions Louisville City FC at Slugger Field in Louisville, KY. You can watch the game by tuning in to ESPN+ at 7 PM.

STATS

Shots: 16-12 Charleston

Shots on Target: 5-1 Charleston

Corner Kicks: 5-3 Hartford

Fouls Committed: 16-13 Hartford

Saves: 3-0 Hartford

Offside: 4-0 Hartford

Possession: 53-47 Charleston

Passing Accuracy: 75-75 Tied

SCORING SUMMARY

Zeiko Lewis (Romario Piggot) 17'

Dante Marini 73'

Philip Rasmussen 83'

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

HFD - Phillip Rasmussen (yellow) 52'

CHS - O'Brian Woodbine (yellow) 49', Dante Marini (yellow) 90'

CHARLESTON BATTERY STARTING LINEUP

Joe Kuzminsky; O'Brian Woodbine, Jarad van Schaik, Taylor Mueller, Jay Bolt; Tah Anunga, Vincenzo Candela, Zeiko Lewis (Angelo Kelly-Rosales - 74'); Ian Svantesson (Arthur Bosua - 90 +1'), Romario Piggot (Dante Marini - 63'), Nico Rittmeyer.

HARTFORD ATHLETIC STARTING LINEUP

Jacob Lissek; Tyler David, Sem de Wit, Nikolaj Lyngo, Raymond Lee; Philip Rasmussen, Jonathan Brown (Giuseppe Gentile - 77'), Mads Jorgensen (Wojciech Wojcik - 84'), Ryan Williams, Sebastian Dalgaard, Jose Angulo (Mac Steeves - 77').