Late Ottawa Goal Downs Indy Eleven 1-0
May 23, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Indy Eleven News Release
OTTAWA (Saturday, May 23, 2015) - Ottawa Fury FC used a goal from veteran midfielder Nicki Paterson in the 88th minute to give the home side a 1-0 win over Indy Eleven in front of 5,245 fans at TD Place in the Canadian capital this afternoon.
Chances were few and far between for both sides on the day, as the two sides combined for just 11 shots on the day. The first clear chance on goal came a half hour in when Ottawa defender Rafael Alves found himself on the end of a corner at the top of the six yard box, but his touch failed him, as he sent the ball weakly towards goal and outside of the right post. Two minutes later Indy Eleven forced Fury FC goalkeeper Romuald Peiser into his first save when Brad Ring's near-angle shot had to be batted away at the left post.
The visitors were forced to deal with an injury blow shortly thereafter in the 34th minute, as midfielder Sergio Peña suffered a lower leg injury that will be further evaluated early next week upon the team's return to Indiana.
Indy Eleven would get its best chance of the match in the 48th minute when a sustained build-up ended with the ball popping to midfielder Victor Pineda 10 yards from goal, but his shot destined for the far post drifted inches wide left to take Ottawa off the hook. Two more chances around the hour mark would go wanting, as forward Wojciech Wojcik had the ball taken off his foot inside the area with a sliding challenge by Alves, while midfielder Brian Brown's low effort from 15 was stopped with a kick save by Peiser.
After Indy Eleven had the better of the possession and limited chances created for most of the second half, Ottawa would finally start to take things over in the final 10 minutes, starting when forward Paulo Junior's 82nd minute shot skipped just wide of the far left post.
The game's tipping point would come with two minutes in regulation, when Ubiparipovic held possession before Indy's Brad Ring swept over and tried to clear the ball inside the six. However, his clearance ricocheted off Ubiparipovic and into the path of Paterson, who slammed home a first-time shot from 12 yards out to move the scoreboard for the home side. Indy would get no clear-cut chances to equalize during the six minutes of added time in the second half, falling for a third straight game after starting the NASL Spring Season with a four-game undefeated run.
Indy Eleven will take a break from NASL action this Wednesday, May 27, when the squad will make its debut in the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament with a third round affair against USL side Louisville City FC. Kickoff from IUPUI's Carroll Stadium is slated for 7:30 p.m. (no local broadcast). Three days later on Saturday, May 30, Indy Eleven will return to league play at home against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. on Indiana Craft Brew Spring Festival Night at "The Mike" (live on WISH-TV 8, ESPN3.com and Exitos Radio 1590AM).
Fans can purchase their tickets for both of those remaining May matches for as little as $10 via www.IndyEleven.com or by calling 317-685-1100 (Tues.-Fri, 9a-5p).
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North American Soccer League Stories from May 23, 2015
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- United Earns Third Straight Win and Third Straight Sellout - Minnesota United FC
- Strikers Come up Short against RailHawks - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- San Antonio's Two-Match Win Streak Ends in New York - San Antonio Scorpions
- Fury FC Steal All the Points as Paterson Nets Late Winner - Ottawa Fury FC
- Late Ottawa Goal Downs Indy Eleven 1-0 - Indy Eleven
- Strikers President Robbie Leaving Club - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Atlanta Travels to Edmonton for Week 8 Clash - Atlanta Silverbacks
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