CHARLESTON BATTERY’S NICK MARKANICH EARNS PLAYER OF THE WEEK AFTER FOUR-GOAL PERFORMANCE AGAINST LAS VEGAS
The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 8 of the 2024 regular season on Tuesday, with Charleston Battery forward Nick Markanich voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball for the second time in the past three weeks after he recorded four goals and an assist to lead the Battery to a 6-0 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC at Patriots Point.
The 24-year-old has made a remarkable start to his second season with the Battery, recording 11 goals in nine appearances to lead the Championship’s Golden Boot race while also sitting with the most goals of an individual player across the men’s professional domestic landscape. Markanich recorded a first-half hat trick against Las Vegas on Saturday, his first in the professional ranks, and added a fourth just before the hour-mark to become the first Battery player to record a four-goal game in the USL Championship era.
Markanich has now equaled his goal total across the Championship’s regular season and playoffs a season ago when he helped the Battery claim the Eastern Conference title. His goals have helped the side open the new campaign on a nine-game undefeated streak to sit on top of the Players’ Shield standings.
“Nick just keeps getting better,” said Battery Head Coach Ben Pirmann. “As a footballer, a human being, and mentality-wise, he's becoming more and more dominant. … The performance, he's confident. Head down, he's always working with momentum going forward.”
Markanich earned 92 percent of the ballot to claim the award. Orange County SC goalkeeper Colin Shutler finished second on 8 percent after posting a six-save shutout that helped his side earn a 2-0 victory against Monterey Bay F.C. at Championship Soccer Stadium on Saturday night.
The Championship’s Player of the Week is selected by the USL National Media Panel, which is made up of representatives from each media market in the Championship.
GK – Colin Shutler, Orange County SC: The 25-year-old posted a six-save shutout as Orange County took a 2-0 win against California rival Monterey Bay F.C., posting a Goals Prevented mark of -1.84 at Championship Soccer Stadium.
D – Mark Segbers, Charleston Battery: Segbers recorded one assist and completed 46 of 53 passes in the Battery’s victory against Las Vegas while defensively he notched 13 recoveries and three interceptions.
D – Pat Hogan, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: The center back scored the opening goal in the Hounds’ 2-0 victory against Detroit City FC and won 8 of 9 aerial duels while making six recoveries in a solid all-around display.
D – Ashish Chattha, Orange County SC: The 24-year-old recorded one assist and two chances created while completing 30 of 34 passes and defensively won 2 of 3 tackles and made three interceptions and 11 recoveries in OCSC’s victory against Monterey Bay F.C.
M – Jake Morris, Louisville City FC: The 25-year-old recorded two assists and had four chances created overall in LouCity’s 6-0 win against Hartford Athletic while also winning 2 of 3 tackles and 8 of 12 duels and completing 31 of 40 passes overall.
M – Aaron Molloy, Charleston Battery: The Irish standout scored a highlight-reel goal to cap Charleston’s victory against Las Vegas and completed 60 of 63 passes and had three chances created while winning 3 of 4 tackles and making 14 recoveries.
M – Emilio Ycaza, Charleston Battery: The 26-year-old had one assist, won a penalty kick and hit the woodwork while completing 23 of 27 passes and winning 8 of 10 duels in the Battery’s victory against Las Vegas.
M – Bruno Lapa, Memphis 901 FC: The Brazilian scored twice against former club Birmingham Legion FC on his two shots in the game and completed 32 of 39 passes as 901 FC claimed its first Southern Harm victory since September, 2021.
F – Nick Markanich, Charleston Battery: The 24-year-old became the first Battery player to record a four-goal game in the USL Championship era and the second to record four goals and one assist in a single game in Charleston’s 6-0 win against Las Vegas.
F – Cal Jennings, Tampa Bay Rowdies: The 26-year-old scored a pair of goals on four shots and completed 11 of 14 passes while winning 1 of 1 tackle and 2 of 2 duels defensively in the Rowdies’ 3-0 win against New Mexico United.
F – Kieran Phillips, Sacramento Republic FC: The English forward scored a pair of late goals after coming on with 17 minutes remaining to push Sacramento to a 3-1 victory against Loudoun United FC in his home debut for Republic FC.
Coach – James Chambers, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Chambers earned his first victory as a Head Coach as the Switchbacks put in a flawless performance to pick up a 2-0 victory against Oakland Roots SC on Saturday night.
Bench: Tyler Deric (MEM), Lucas Turci (MEM), Callum Chapman-Page (IND), Danny Griffin (PIT), Emil Cuello (PHX), Maalique Foster (COS), Manuel Arteaga (TBR)
