ALLISON BRANTLEY Randi Patterson takes the time to sign autographs for the children involved in the Charleston Battery Junior Day Camp.

While the Charleston Battery was founded over a decade ago, forward Randi Patterson has merely begun his professional career for the USL First Division soccer team. Before debuting for the Charleston Battery in March 2008, Patterson attended school at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he was a two-time Southern Conference Player of the Year and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-American selection.

Originally from Hackensack, N.J., Patterson was pleased with his decision to enroll at UNCG, explaining, "I enjoyed playing in Greensboro; it was a great opportunity to show people what I could do. During my junior year I was contemplating finishing early but I thought it best to go four years in order to gain more experience. I wanted to see what I could do if I pushed myself and if any MLS teams would want me."

Patterson finished out his college career with 61 goals and 19 assists before being picked up by the Major League Soccer’s Red Bulls New York in 2007. While spending his rookie year with the Red Bulls, Patterson received very little field time and therefore decided to leave the MLS team for the Charleston Battery.

"The New York Red Bulls are in the MLS so obviously that was a great opportunity but the Charleston Battery is also a great facility and a great team to be with. Ever since I attended college at UNCG I wanted to be a Charleston Battery player," Patterson said.

Charleston Battery assistant coach Mark Watson claims, "Randi has been great. He came to us after being out of school for a year. He left New York after only one year because for whatever reason he didn’t get much playing time. We were fortunate enough to pick him up and since he has been here he has been fantastic. Aside from the goals and performing well on the field, he works hard every day and does whatever we ask of him. He has excellent character and we couldn’t be happier."

Already this season Patterson has scored six goals for the team, more than any other Charleston Battery player this year.

Aside from providing islanders with the pro soccer experience, Charleston Battery also promotes family-fun events such as birthday bashes and picnic packages. Group packages and season tickets are also available upon request. Season ticket prices range anywhere from $100 to $500, depending on location and availability. If interested in learning more about the Charleston Battery soccer team or accessing information about specific prices for membership you may visit the team’s Web site at www.charlestonbattery.com.