Minnesota overcomes early deficit to trip up Battery

The Charleston Battery decided to take Labor Day off a little early this year.

Lawrence Olum scored two goals and Marco Terminesi scored a goal and added an assist to lead Minnesota past Charleston, 3-1, before a crowd of 2,707 on Sunday night at Blackbaud Stadium.

The Battery, which clinched a playoff spot last week, fell to 12-5-10 (46 points), and is in fourth place in the USL First Division. The Thunder, which was eliminated from the playoffs earlier in the week, improved to 6-12-9 (27 points).

Charleston coach Mike Anhaeuser had no problem with the way the Battery played during the first 45 minutes of the match. It was the final 45-plus minutes that he had an issue with.

The Battery held a 1-0 lead on Randi Patterson's header in the 19th minute, but Charleston gave up a goal in stoppage time just before halftime and then conceded another goal in the first two minutes of the second half.

"I thought we came out very well in the first half," Anhaeuser said. "We got an early goal and we controlled play. We looked to be very comfortable and maybe we got a little too comfortable. I think when we got up a goal, the guys might have thought Minnesota would just fold because they've got nothing really to play for. It was a mistake and something I hope we learn from."

After Patterson's header, his ninth goal of the season, Olum changed with complexion of the match with back-to-back goals in a five-minute.

Olum's first goal came off a corner kick by Ricardo Sanchez. Sanchez served the ball to the back post, where defender Kevin Friedland volleyed it to Olum just inside the six-yard box. Olum's header beat Charleston goalkeeper Chris McClellan to the far post for the score.

Minnesota took a 2-1 advantage when Olum notched his second goal just two minutes into the second half off a beautiful give-and-go with Terminesi.

"Minnesota didn't appear to be interested in pushing forward," Anhaeuser said. "They got a corner kick at the end of the first half and got a goal. Then we just didn't come out in the second half ready to play. We had a turnover and they converted again. They came out inspired and we didn't, and that's what's disappointing."

The Thunder got the final goal in stoppage time in the second half, when Terminesi scored off a nice pass from Nate Knox.

Hudock has surgery

Veteran Battery keeper Dusty Hudock is expected miss the remainder of the season after undergoing knee injury.

Hudock, who has not played since Aug. 8, partially tore the ACL in his knee earlier in the month against Vancouver. Hudock had hoped to rest his knee and return to the lineup during the postseason.

Hudock could have surgery in the next two weeks.

"Nothing has been finalized, but that's the way its looking," Anhaeuser said. "We moving forward with the assumption that he's not going to play again this season."

Headers

--Midfielders Stephen Armstrong (calf) and forward Tom Heinemann (knee) did not play because of injuries.

--Midfielder Ian Fuller was suspended for the game after receiving a red card in last week's game with Portland.

--The Battery will face Miami FC Blues in the final home game of the regular season on Friday.

--Midfielder Jamie Franks and keeper McClellan, who both played for Wilmington in the USL Second Division, made their Battery debuts against the Thunder.

--Tyler Hemming returned to the Battery lineup after missing three weeks with an injured knee.