After sweeping the three-game season series, the Charleston Battery lost to the Rhinos in Rochester 2-0 Friday night at PaeTek Park in front of 6,932. The game was the first of a two-match, aggregate score first round playoff series. Both teams now head to Blackbaud Stadium for the deciding match with Charleston needing to win by two goals to stay alive.

After playing well and controlling the tempo for most of the match the game turned in the 86th minute when Rochester broke the deadlock with a goal by substitute Steve Guppy. Three minutes later it was 2-0 as Matt Delicate blasted home from outside the box leaving the Battery facing an uphill task to advance to the Semifinals.

It was a very open first half with chances for both sides but it was the Battery who created the first good opportunity in the 19th minute from a corner-kick. Osvaldo Alonso whipped the ball into the near side of the box where it was deflected at the goal by a Rochester defender. Rochester midfielder Danny Earls was well placed at the back post and cleared the chance off the line.

Rochester responded with a flowing attack in the 32nd minute that saw Earls pick out winger Luke Kreamalmeyer at the back post. Kreamalmeyer lifted a shot at the goal but Battery goalkeeper Dusty Hudock dove to his left and just managed to make the save.

Charleston pressed on and earned two free kicks in the space of five minutes. Stephen Armstrong took the first but hammered the ball straight at the wall. The second was claimed by forward Lazo Alavanja who curled his attempt around the wall only to see it saved by goalkeeper Scott Vallow who turned it round the post.

At the stroke of halftime Rochester came close as Hudock failed to control a cross from the left. Matt Delicate sprang onto the loose ball but his hard strike cannoned back into play off the underside of the crossbar.

Charleston continued to look most dangerous from set-plays and Scott Vallow made a superb stop from another Alavanja free kick in the 50th minute.

The game appeared to headed to a tie until Rochester midfielder John Menyongar slipped past his defender in the 86th minute. He fired in a cross to the back post where it was headed into the goal by Steve Guppy, tallying his first of the year.

With time running out Rochester doubled its advantage at the 90 minute mark after the Battery defenders failed to clear at the edge of the box. Forward Matt Delicate took advantage turning neatly before ripping a shot past Hudock into the right corner.

The teams return to Blackbaud Stadium on Sunday for the deciding game of the series; gates open at 6 PM, kick off is set for 7 PM ($8 - $15, (843) 971-GOAL (4625) / charlestonbattery.com).