Darren Spicer’s natural hat trick in the first half was all the Charleston Battery needed for a 3-0 victory over the visiting ASC New Stars.
The Houston-based USASA club nearly jumped out to the lead after 12 minutes, as Esteban Lotero found Alex Bolan with a through ball. Bolan beat Charleston goalkeeper Keith Wiggans, but the shot just missed wide right.
Five minutes later, Spicer began his scoring surge, heading home a cross from David Kenga. Spicer struck again in the 27th minute, this time receiving a pass from Aaron King, who found Spicer at the middle of the box for an easy header.
Just before halftime, Spicer completed his hat trick. Spicer recovered a loose ball after ASC tried to clear a cross by King, and the midfielder beat ASC goalkeeper Emilio Frias for the final goal. The Battery were dominate in their second all-time meeting with a USASA club. In a Second Round match in 2006, they narrowly defeated the Sonoma County Sol from California 1-0 at Blackbaud Stadium.
The Battery move on to the Second Round, where they will host the Charlotte Eagles of the USL Second Division on June 24.
Lineups
Charleston – Keith Wiggans, Louie Rolko (Randi Patterson 86), Nelson Akwari, Kevin Nylen, Chris Corcoran, Darren Spicer (Chris Williams 78), Dominic Cianciarulo, Osvaldo Alonso (Tim Velten 75), David Kenga, Aaron King, Lester More Players Not Used – Dusty Hudock, Ian Fuller, Lazo Alavanja
SHOTS: 25 (More 6); SAVES: 1 (Wiggans 1); FOULS: 6 (Alonso 3); CORNER KICKS: 5; OFFSIDES: 3; PENALTY KICKS: (NONE); CAUTIONS: Alonso 55; EJECTIONS: (NONE)
ASC New Stars – Emilio Frias, Ali Daneshman (Lucas Fuentes 64), Salvador Lopez, Dubravko Pecikozic, Reza Daneshmand, Alex Bolan (Murillo Alves 86), Esteban Lotero (Armen Allahverdia 58), Orufe Abara, Peter Kozlowski (Destiny Ohiri 79), Arzgang Salashoor, Anthony Ashiufu
Players Not Used – Arami Allahverdian, Jason Harville
SHOTS: 5 (Kozlowski 2); SAVES: 4 (Frias 4); FOULS: 6 (Ashiufu 2); CORNER KICKS: 4; OFFSIDES: 0; PENALTY KICKS: (NONE); CAUTIONS: (NONE); EJECTIONS: (NONE)
Referee: Alan Schechtman
Assistant Referees: Jeff Muschik, Carlos Arango
Attendance: 1,401
Weather: Clear, 90