Indy Eleven Ends Spring Season in Style with 3-0 Victory over FC Edmonton
June 13, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Indy Eleven News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - Indy Eleven closed out the Spring Season with the most dominating performance in its brief history on Saturday night in front of 10,202 fans at Carroll Stadium, as it captured a thorough 3-0 victory over FC Edmonton on goals from Brian Brown, Dylan Mares and Duke Lacroix.
The result gave the "Boys in Blue" their first shutout and home win of the 2015 season, the back-to-back wins allowing Indy to end the Spring Season in 5^th place thanks to draws on the evening by San Antonio and Jacksonville.
From the get-go, Indy Eleven looked the team more determined to 'go out with a bang' in the Spring Season, notching relentless attack after relentless attack into the Edmonton defensive third. Captain Erick Norales was the first to leave the crowd holding its breath in the 8^th minute when his header off a well-swung Dylan Mares cross deflected off the crossbar and out of bounds to quell the chance.
The post continued to treat the home side unkindly when reigning NASL Player of the week Victor Pineda snuck in behind the Edmonton defense and had a shot on goal that hit the far left post and bounced out of play in the 18^th minute.
Indy did not seem phased by the bad luck early on in the match, as it continued to attack before finally having a shot reach the back of the net in the 39^th minute, when Brian Brown scored his first since the team's home opener on April 11 against the New York Cosmos on a shot from distance. Brown gathered a pass from midfielder Dylan Mares and fired a low, driving ball from 25 yards out past Edmonton netminder Jon Smits to give Indy the 1-0 lead. The assist was the fourth for Mares, putting him one back of league leader Georgi Hristov (Tampa Bay) in the category.
Mares would finish an attempt of his own just moments later in the 44^th minute as he stepped to the spot for a penalty conversion following Smits takedown of Brad Ring in front of goal. Mares looked poised and under control as he stepped to the spot and placed the ball into the lower left corner to put Indy up 2-0, the score that would hold until the halftime break.
Chances proved to be few-and-far-between in the second half, Indy seeming content to continue its dominance in possession and Edmonton still unable to attack with much effectiveness. As time went on, the Eddies' frustration became evident, boiling over in the 67^th minute when substitute Christian Raudales saw a straight red card for a high elbow to the face of Indy Eleven defender Marco Franco.
Using itsr one-man advantage, Indy Eleven would tack on to its lead in the 82^nd minute. Striker Charlie Rugg got his first assist of the season when he placed a through ball beautifully onto the foot of rookie Duke Lacroix, who finished past Matt VanOekel - Edmonton's second-string 'keeper, who entered at the halftime break - to earn his first professional goal and bring the game to its eventual 3-0 finish.
Indy Eleven won't have much of a midseason break, as the "Boys in Blue" get back to action on Sunday, June 28 at Carroll Stadium when it plays the first international friendly in club history against Mexican first division (Liga MX) side Monarcas Morelia. Kickoff for that matinee affair is set for 1:30 p.m., and tickets are available online at 95&idbde33efdd9&eee02f21f4a 95&id80bba8cabc&eee02f21f4a) and at 16 Indianapolis area businesses, a listing of which can be found at IndyEleven.com 95&id40ef152ce0&eee02f21f4a) .
One week later on Sunday, July 5, the "Boys in Blue" will re-enter NASL play with the biggest of tests, the Fall Season opener sending Indy to Long Island to take on the Spring Season champion New York Cosmos (7:00 p.m. ET, live on WISH-TV 8 and ESPN3.com). The team's home opener in Fall Season play comes appropriately enough, on Saturday, July 11, when Indy Eleven plays host to the Carolina RailHawks at "The Mike" (7:30 p.m. ET kickoff, live on WISH-TV 8, ESPN3.com and Exitos Radio 1590 AM).
North American Soccer League Stories from June 13, 2015
- Shutout Streak Continues in San Antonio - Ottawa Fury FC
- Scorpions Earn Important Point in 0-0 Draw with the Ottawa Fury - San Antonio Scorpions
- New York Cosmos Capture 2015 NASL Spring Season Championship - NASL
- Furious Comeback Earns Armada FC 3-3 Draw with Cosmos - Jacksonville Armada FC
- Cosmos Clinch NASL Spring Season Title - New York Cosmos
- Minnesota United Falls 3-2 to Fort Lauderdale in Spring Finale - Minnesota United FC
- Tampa Bay scores 3 in final 30 minutes to down 10-man Atlanta - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Depleted Eddies' Roster Drops 3-0 Decision to Indy Eleven - FC Edmonton
- Indy Eleven Ends Spring Season in Style with 3-0 Victory over FC Edmonton - Indy Eleven
- Strikers Close Spring Season with Come-From-Behind Win at Minnesota - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Tampa Bay Rowdies Beat Atlanta Silverbacks 3-0 in Spring Finale - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Match Day 11 - Atlanta Silverbacks
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