As Nick Markanich went on his record-setting goalscoring spree a season ago, it was part of a Charleston Battery attack that pushed on dramatically from Head Coach Ben Pirmann’s first season at the helm in 2023.

The Battery averaged two goals per game in the regular season, averaged 15.2 shots per game and 1.73xG per game and had a 17.7 percent shot conversion rate. That attacking output put them second in the league to Louisville City’s remarkable 86-goal campaign, which came in at the second-highest mark in league history all-time.

But here’s the thing – the Battery aren’t just replicating that pace this season, they’re pushing even higher. While the side is slightly down with an average of 1.49 shots per game so far in the regular season, after Saturday’s 4-0 victory against San Antonio FC, Charleston is averaging 2.4 goals per game. They’re also up in Expected Goals per game at 2.08xG and in shot conversion rate at 24.2 percent.

With Cal Jennings taking the reins as the centerpiece for the club’s attack – and now sitting on nine goals and two assists in nine appearances to lead the Golden Boot race – the Battery might be even more potent than they were a season ago.

“Honestly, from start to finish, every single player that played tonight was top,” said Pirmann after his side’s win against San Antonio. “They moved the ball incredibly well, quickly, selflessly, with intent and with purpose, and then hunted them out of possession. When you do that, you can just sit back and watch, and hopefully it goes our way. We played a very thorough match tonight and that was very well deserved.”

For his part, Jennings continues to be one of the most prolific goalscorers the Championship has seen. His brace on his 28th birthday moved him to 74 regular season goals in his career, tied for eighth all-time with Corey Hertzog in the league’s list while doing so at a strike rate of a goal every 130.7 minutes, third in league history among players with at least 40 tallies.

“I don’t always expect [goals] on my birthday, but I was coming out here tonight just trying to find the kid in me, enjoy the game and be happy to come away with two,” said Jennings. “I think I have scored on my birthday before, but it doesn't always fall on a Saturday.”

As the Battery continue to roll with six wins on the bounce in league play, they’re again looking a serious contender for silverware this season.

Here are this week’s rankings.