CINCINNATI, OH --- In front of 30,187, a new USL playoff record, FC Cincinnati saw its season end to Charleston Battery Sunday evening following a 2-1 loss. Eric Stevenson had the lone goal for FCC but the Battery came from behind with goals from Chris Tsonis and Zach Prince to end the Orange and Blue’s playoff hopes.

With over 30,000 in attendance, FCC rewrote the USL record books once again, erasing the previous mark of 20,886, set by Orlando City in the 2013 USL Cup Final.

“It was a remarkable season,” said President and General Manager, Jeff Berding. “We are so appreciative for Cincinnati, my hometown and the city I love. The support was there from the first game, but 30,000 today…wow, what a statement from our city and fans, with a game experience that was electric! We proved once again Cincinnati is a major-league sports town.”

Stevenson’s goal in the came in the 19th minute of action. Countering off a Charleston turnover, Sean Okoli streaked down the field and crossed the ball to Stevenson. Stevenson collected the ball cleanly and from 30-yards out, crushed the ball past the Charleston keeper, Alex Tambakis, to finish in the top right corner of the goal.

However, as Charleston did in the two teams previous meeting at Nippert Stadium, the Battery would level the score. The equalizer was logged in the 41st minute from Tsonis. From the near sideline, O’Brian Woodbine threw in a long pass to Tsonis in front of the FCC goal. Boxing out FCC keeper Mitch Hildebrandt, the forward headed the ball past Hildebrandt.  

FCC pressured the Battery but in the 64th minute, the Battery threatened the FCC defense as Romario Williams took a shot from the right side that was pushed out of bounds by Hildebrandt. On the succeeding corner kick, Zach Prince put a header on target that was deflected by an FCC defender into the net for the midfielder’s first goal of the year and the eventual game-winning tally.  

Hildebrandt and Tambakis both posted three saves in the fixtures. FCC edged the Battery 15-11 on total shots and in corner kicks, 6-4.

FCC ends the inaugural season with a 16-7-8 record.