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Lewis buoyed by maiden goal for Charleston

Zeiko Lewis, threatening all night down the left flank and scored a hat-trick, gets past Rajaan Prince of Sint Maarten ni the first half (Photograph by Blaire Simmons) ¬

Zeiko Lewis hopes his first goal for new club Charleston Battery in their 2-1 home win over Hartford Athletic in the United Soccer League Championship at the weekend is the first of “many more to come”.

The Bermuda international opened the scoring at MUSC Health Stadium on Saturday night in the 17th minute after linking up well with team-mate Romario Piggott.

Lewis dribbled clear of two defenders, passed to Piggott and then ran into the box to get on the end of the latter’s chip over the defence and score with a left-footed finish.

After the game the grandson of former Young Men’s Social Club Fred Lewis, tweeted: “Happy to get my first goal for the club @Chas_Battery. Even happier about getting the win at home. Hope there are many more to come.”

Mike Anhaeuser, the Charleston Battery coach, hailed Lewis’s goal and the build up to it.

“He [Lewis] brings flair in the final third. He’s got a bit of craft and brings something different to our side,” Anhaeuser said.

“It’s a fantastic goal that the two of them created [Lewis and Piggott]. We look forward to seeing more of those types of goals this season.”

Dante Marini came off the bench and doubled Charleston’s lead in the 73rd minute when he buried Ian Svantesson’s rebound that fell to him.

The visitors managed to pull one back in the 82nd minute when Phil Rasmussen converted from the penalty spot.

However, that was the closest they got as Lewis and his team-mates held on to claim all of the points.

Lewis joined Charleston last month and is no stranger to the USL league, having previously played for the New York Red Bulls II.

The 23-year-old has been included in Bermuda’s squad that will travel to the Dominican Republic to play their hosts in a crucial Concacaf Nations League qualifier at the Estadio Cibao in Santiago on Sunday.

Kyle Lightbourne’s team are seventh in the qualifying standings with two wins from three games and in a strong position to qualify for the Gold Cup for the first time.

The top ten teams advance to the biennial Gold Cup, a competition Bermuda has never previously reached.

Lewis is up for the big match and says it’s always an “honour” to play for his country of birth on the international stage.

“I am looking forward to it,” he said. “It’s always an honour to play for and represent my country.”

Bermuda depart for Florida today where they will participate in a pre-match camp before travelling to the Dominican Republic.