Islanders hand Battery back-to-back losses

Islanders 4, Battery 3

BayAman, Puerto Rico. — The Charleston Battery squandered the lead twice Sunday in a wild soccer game that saw them lose to the Puerto Rico Islanders 4-3.

It's the second straight USL First Division loss for the Battery (5-8-5, 20 points), both at the hands of the Islanders.

"Giving up seven goals in two games on the road is unacceptable," said Charleston Battery head coach Mike Anhaeuser. "Our individual and collective defending was not up to the high standards that it needs to be to be successful in this league."

Charleston took the early lead in the 21st minute after a long pass from Lazo Alavanja to Byron Alvarez, who drove a right-footed volley past Puerto Rico goalie Joshua Saunders.

Puerto Rico (5-4-7, 22 points) tied the score in the 40th minute with a headed goal at the back post from forward Taiwo Atiemi. The Battery responded immediately, winning a corner on the right side. Defender Brandon Curran controlled the ball as it came across the box and hammered a shot past Saunders.

The Battery held on to the lead for less than two minutes.

Puerto Rico broke down the right side and midfielder Victor Hannam fired a cross toward the back post. Defender Jay Needham turned the ball back into the middle where it was redirected home by forward Fabrice Noel.

It looked like the teams would head into the locker rooms at halftime tied 2-2, but with time running out Puerto Rico scored again, this time from the penalty spot. Curran tugged Noel's jersey as he sprinted toward goal and the ensuing spot-kick was drilled into the bottom right corner by Alejandro Gonzales to make it 3-2.

With 30 minutes remaining in the game, the Battery scored again to tie the game at 3-3. Alavanja dribbled in from the half-way line, rounded the last defender and shot the ball past a diving Saunders into the left side of the goal.

The Battery celebrations were short-lived, however, as Puerto Rico scored what would prove to be the winning goal in the 62nd minute. Atiemi fired past keeper Dusky Hudock from close range after the Battery failed to clear the ball as it was launched deep into the penalty area.