Zeiko Lewis and his Charleston Battery teammates opened the 2021 season securing a point on the road in a 1-1 draw against New York Red Bulls II.
A hard-fought battle by both sides, the Battery came back in the second half after a 10th-minute goal by Jake LaCava put the hosts ahead early. Undeterred, Lewis rose to the occasion against his former club with an equalizer in the 72nd minute, putting the Battery on level terms to then secure the draw.
The standard Battery defense helped put Charleston in control early in the first 45 minutes. However, an uncharacteristic giveaway by captain Jarad van Schaik in front of the box allowed Red Bulls II forward Jake LaCava to capitalize and put one past goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky. While down, Charleston answered with two chances by Lewis in the 15th and 17th minutes but was unable to convert the equalizer.
The Battery came into the second half quickly applying pressure. Lewis made a nice pass to Ben Di Rosa who was charging upfield on the right flank; Di Rosa had space but his shot went wide of the goal. The intensity on both sides was clearly visible as yellow cards continued to be shown for both sides, notably Logan Gdula and Daniel Edelman at the same time in the 54th minute.
The Battery found their equalizer in the 72nd minute as Lewis put Charleston on level terms. The build-up started with an AJ Paterson interception, which he took towards the box before passing it off to Stavros Zarokostas to his left. Zarokostas sent a deflected ball in that found Lewis, who then flashed some skill to get around the New York defender and send the ball into the back of the net. The goal was Lewis’ first against his old club.
