NASL Indy Eleven

Indy Eleven Falls 0-1 to Louisville City FC in Exhibition Play

Published on March 19, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Indy Eleven News Release


INDIANAPOLIS - Indy Eleven looked poised to even up a third straight exhibition match during its preseason calendar, but a 66th minute tally by Louisville City FC would stand just tall enough in Indy's 0-1 defeat at UIndy's Key Stadium this afternoon.

The first half hour saw dead ball opportunities rule for both teams, with Louisville City getting the first crack five minutes in off a free kick that missed high from 25 yards out. In the 16th minute it was a LCFC corner kick getting flicked on to the near left post, but Indy Eleven goalkeeper Keith Cardona was there to take the ball on a hop.

Indy Eleven forward Wojciech Wojcik started to get the home side some dangerous looks in the 26th minute, but his header off of defender Neil Shaffer's service missed just high. Defender Nemanja Vukovi? swerved in a free kick from the right flank two minutes later, but it fell straight to the Louisville City 'keeper.

Cardona came up big right on the half hour mark when he darted off his line to get a piece of a point blank shot, and midfielder Nicki Paterson tracked back to sweep the deflected ball off the line to keep things scoreless. In the 39th minute it was Wednesday's goal scorer for Indy Eleven, midfielder Don Smart, nearly getting another, but his volleyed attempt from 12 yards out was deflected out by a defender for a corner kick, which Wojcik nearly headed home only to see the ball cleared off the line.

Cardona was active at the start of the second half, coming off his line in the 48th minute to parry a cross to the corner of the six out of danger and colliding hard with a LCFC attacker in the process. It took another 20 minutes until either team would put one on frame, but it was Cardona looking sharp again, looking a 20-yard shot with plenty of pace into his gloves.

The breakthrough finally came from Louisville City FC in the 66th minute, when Andrew Lubahn was rewarded for his far post run. LCFC midfielder Jonghyun Son's cross from the left flank was nodded down by Lubahn six yards out, sneaking past Cardona to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.

Second half substitute Duke Lacroix nearly got one back for Indy Eleven four minutes later when he tracked a through ball towards the spot, but the LCFC 'keeper beat him to the ball to clear the chance away. It was Lacroix creating havoc again when he bodied past a defender to gain space in the left side of the area in the 76th minute. His shot beat the 'keeper but was blocked by a defender and almost snuck under the crossbar for an own goal, only to float just over for a corner instead.

Indy Eleven's furious attempt to equalize culminated with several chances in the last five minutes, starting when midfielder Dragan Stojkov linked up with a streaking Justin Braun in the right side of the area, but Braun's header destined for the near post was grabbed by the LCFC netminder. Some nice interplay two minutes later down the left flank ended with Indy defender Lovel Palmer's square ball again being snagged by the Louisville City 'keeper. Ninety seconds later it was Lacroix rising to meet Smart's cross 12 yards out, but the shot missed high. In stoppage time, defender Cory Miller rose to nod on Dylan Mares' free kick, but a lunging Braun couldn't redirect before the 'keeper pounced on the ball.

Indy Eleven's next preseason scrimmage comes next Wednesday, March 23 against the Butler University Bulldogs. The 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff at Grand Park in Westfield will be open to the public (field information TBA). For fans that cannot make it, live updates will be posted as they happen via the @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed and additional Indy Eleven social media outlets.

Visit www.IndyEleven.com/preseason for the full details on Indy Eleven's preseason itinerary leading up to the team's third season of NASL play, beginning Saturday, April 2, at the Tampa Bay Rowdies. "Indiana's Team" kicks off its home slate at IUPUI's Carroll Stadium a week later on Saturday, April 9, against 2015 NASL Championship finalist Ottawa Fury FC. Season, single game and group tickets can be purchased at IndyEleven.com or by phone at 317-685-1100 (Mon.-Fri., 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ET).

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North American Soccer League Stories from March 19, 2016


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