Battery keeps the streak alive

AUSTIN, Texas — The Battery grinded out a lead after Austin had a player ejected in only the second minute Sunday, but the resilient Aztex fought back with a late goal to earn a 1-1 tie with Charleston at Nelson Field.

The draw ensured that Charleston's season-long unbeaten streak remains intact as the Battery improved to 6-0-5 (23 points) and stayed in first place in the USL First Division standings.

The game started at a frantic pace and Austin was reduced to 10 men almost immediately as midfielder Mike Callahan challenged Battery winger Scott Buete at the halfway line.

The referee issued a straight red card to Callahan, despite the protests of the Aztex players.

Charleston pushed on with the extra player and came close in the 8th minute after a neat flicked pass from forward Dan Antoniuk.

Kenji Treschuk ran onto the ball but saw his right-footed attempt turned around the far post by Austin goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo.

Austin fought back and had a great chance to take the lead in the 26th minute after forward Edward Johnson managed to squeeze the ball through the Battery defense to midfielder Yordany Alvarez.

Alvarez hit a fierce shot, but goalkeeper Keith Wiggans batted it away with a fine reaction save.

Just before halftime, Charleston threatened again as Scott Buete found space on the left side of the 18-yard box. Buete hammered a shot at goal from point-blank range, but Gallardo made a save to deny him.

Charleston scored 10 minutes into the second half after forward Dan Antoniuk saw a close-in shot saved. The ball popped out to midfielder Kenji Treschuk, who volleyed home into the empty net.

As the game wore on, the Battery continued to press and nearly scored a second goal in the 76th minute.

Charleston defender Frankie Sanfilippo made a strong run to the goal-line down the right side then crossed the ball to the middle. Antoniuk hit a first-time shot with power, but Gallardo got across and denied him with a blocking save.

Less than a minute later, the Aztex tied the game after Jeff Harwell stole in at the back post and lashed a shot past goalkeeper Keith Wiggans.

The Battery returns to Blackbaud Stadium on Tuesday night as Charleston takes on Atlanta FC in the first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.