Charleston ties for lead in division

BEFORD, OHIO — The Charleston Battery moved into a tie for first in the USL First Division with a 0-0 draw with the Cleveland City Stars on Friday night at Middlefield Cheese Stadium in front of 1,328.

Goalkeeper Dusty Hudock recorded four saves to earn his league-leading 11th shutout of the season for the Battery (8-3-7, 31 points), who are tied for the division lead with Puerto Rico.

The first chance of the game fell to the City Stars in the 14th minute. The ball was worked out to forward Jason Hotchkin on the left side of the box but he hit his shot straight at Hudock, who made the save.

Minutes later, the City Stars (2-10-6, 18 points) threatened again after midfielder Leo Gibson flicked the ball through for forward Pato

Aguilera. Aguilera held off his defender, but his right-footed shot was smothered by Hudock at the left side of the goal.

Charleston came close in the 26th minute after some neat midfield interplay resulted in a square pass across from Darren Spicer to midfielder Kenji Treschuk. Treschuk had to stretch back to control the ball and his shot was scuffed away from goal.

The Battery's best chance of the half fell to Stephen Armstrong in the 36th minute after a precise diagonal pass from Scott Buete. Armstrong hit a first-time shot at goal, but the ball flew just wide of the far post.

Right before halftime, Hudock made a brilliant save. Warren Kanu picked the ball up in space 20 yards out, but his hard shot was turned around the post by an outstretched Hudock.

After Cleveland failed to properly clear a crossed ball in the 48th minute, Battery defender Frankie Sanfilippo had a good opportunity, but his right-footed attempt sailed high.

Charleston continued to press, and minutes later, created two good opportunities. The move started on the right with a sharp cross from Darren Spicer to Dan Antoniuk. Antoniuk controlled the ball, but saw his shot blocked through a lunging Cleveland tackle. The ball fell for Stephen Armstrong who lashed a shot at the goal but saw the ball rise over the crossbar.

With time running out, Cleveland attacked again, and winger Joshua Boateng managed to get behind Battery substitute defender Yeniel Bermudez. Boateng carried the ball towards the goal, but his hard strike was parried away by Hudock who held firm at the near post.

The Battery plays the second game of its two-match road swing today at 7:30 p.m. against the Rochester Rhinos.