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Markanich lifts Battery to extra time victory against Independence

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 04/25/23, 11:38PM EDT

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New arrival scores winner in 112th minute for fifth goal in all competitions this season


The Charleston Battery's Jesse Randall tries to ride a challenge during the side's Open Cup victory against the Charlotte Independence on Tuesday night. | Photo courtesy Michael Wiser / Charleston Battery

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Nick Markanich scored his fifth goal in all competitions this season in extra time to send the Charleston Battery to a 1-0 victory against USL League One rival the Charlotte Independence in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night at Patriots Point.

The victory maintained the Battery’s undefeated record so far this season and sent the club into the draw for the Round of 32 which will be conducted on Thursday.

In a hard-fought contest, the first 45 minutes played out relatively evenly as neither Charleston nor Charlotte found a breakthrough. The Battery’s Jesse Randall, making his first start for the club, made his presence felt throughout the early moments and registered the game’s first shot on target in the 10th minute.

The Independence began to press more as the half wore on but Charleston’s defense kept the visitors largely at bay. Battery goalkeeper Daniel Kuzemka was tested twice but made a pair of strong saves in the 22nd and 44th minute to keep the game scoreless at the halftime break.

The Battery got out on the front foot at the start of the second half and had the ball in the net in the 54th minute through Augustine Williams only for the offside flag to be raised and the goal disallowed. Chances remained limited, however, and Charlotte’s best chance of the night didn’t arrive until the 78th minute when Luis Alverez had a clear look from inside the penalty area blocked by a sliding Deklan Wynne for the Battery.

The hosts found the winner with seven minutes to go in extra time, however as Markanich continued his impressive start to the season. After Chris Allan initiated a move from the left side, he delivered a cross into Markanich, and from there the 23-year-old slotted home the winner to send the Battery into the next round.

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