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Following the announcement of the 2017 regular season schedule, the Battery have announced a full slate of preseason fixtures to compliment the upcoming Carolina Challenge Cup, and two of last year’s important pieces will return for the new campaign.
The Battery regularly take time to face off against College opposition in the preseason, and will continue to do so this year, playing the College of Charleston, The University of South Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Clemson, and the University of North Florida
A date with North Carolina FC is on tap for March 4th. NCFC are what remains of the Carolina RailHawks, and will play in the NASL this season. They, along with the MLS sides in the CCC, are of course the showpiece of the preseason.
The Battery have also announced the re-signing of two players from 2016, Taylor Mueller and Dante Marini. Mueller will play his 6th season for the Battery, and has 114 appearances to his name, while he earned Defender of the Year honors last season for the Battery.
Marini will enter his fourth season for the club, with 30 appearances last season, which was the most by any player, in a year where he established himself as a key member of the team, given his pace and direct style of play.
These two players join a list that includes Justin Portillo, Obi Woodbine, Quinton Griffith, Maikel Chang, Forrest Lasso, Naveal Hackshaw, and Ataulla Guerra to return for the new year, as the Battery continue a recent streak of keeping core members of the side together, which is always important when you’re looking to challenge.
The Battery will open their preseason friendlies, with the exception of the CCC, to the public free of charge, as well as stream games online.
The Battery’s preseason schedule in full:
2/11; College of Charleston (H) (Time TBD)
2/15: University of South Carolina (H) 7:00PM
2/18: CCC: Seattle Sounders 7:00PM
2/21: CCC: Columbus Crew 5:00PM
2/25: CCC: Atlanta United 7:00PM
3/1: Coastal Carolina (A) 7:00PM
3/4: North Carolina FC (A) 4:00PM
3/10: Clemson University (A) 4:PM
3/12: University of North Florida (H) 2:00
3/15: Coastal Carolina (H) 7:00PM