Battery blanks Blues, moves into 3rd round

  • Staff report
  • Posted: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 12:01 a.m.
    UPDATED: Monday, March 19, 2012 7:23 a.m.
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MIAMI — Midfielder Tyler Hemming converted a second- half penalty kick to lead the Charleston Battery to a 1-0 win over Miami FC Blues on Tuesday night at Tropical Park Stadium in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup.

Charleston advances to the third round, where it will face Major League Soccer's Chivas USA at Blackbaud Stadium on June 30.

"It was a fantastic team performance defensively on a very difficult pitch," said Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser. "We are very happy to be moving on in the tournament to face a strong MLS side in Chivas USA."

Charleston goalkeeper Dusty Hudock faced four shots, recording one save, en route to the shutout. The Battery has yet to concede a goal in this year's competition.

The Battery started brightly and came close to scoring in the 15th minute after Hemming found space 30 yards out. The midfielder fired a shot at the goal, but his attempt sailed wide.

In the 21st minute, defender Matt Bobo came close after Hemming whipped in a corner kick from the left side. Bobo attacked the cross, but

his chance missed wide.

Miami fought back as striker Diego Serna just missed from the edge of the box in the 35th minute. After receiving the ball, Serna spun and fired, but his shot flew just wide of the Battery goal.

In the 52nd minute, Miami midfielder Edwin Miranda received the ball 20 yards out. Miranda fired a shot that missed wide right.

The Battery scored the decisive goal in the 65th minute after substitute midfielder Chris Williams was brought down in the box by Miami defender Cristiano Dias.

The referee awarded Charleston a penalty kick that Hemming converted with a right-footed shot.

The Battery returns to USL1 action Thursday night with an 8 p.m. match against the Puerto Rico Islanders.

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the U.S. Soccer Federation's National Championship, is an annual competition open to all amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. It is the oldest annual team tournament in U.S. sports and among the oldest soccer tournaments of its type in the world.