Scorpions Fall 1-2 to Indy Eleven on Late Goal

Published on April 19, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
San Antonio Scorpions News Release


SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The San Antonio Scorpions looked to be headed for their first point of the 2015 NASL Spring Season until a late goal from distance swung all three points in Indy Eleven's direction.

The match was tied 1-1 in the 89' and second half stoppage time had just been announced when defensive midfielder Sergio Peña found himself alone in space about 40 yards from the San Antonio goal. Rather than look for a pass to move the play closer in, Peña chested the ball and then hit a hard shot off the bounce as Scorpions goalie Jon Kempin urged his defense to press the open player. Peña's ball stayed down rather than flying into the stands as shots from that distance often do and it ripped the right-side upper 90 before Kempin could make the save.

Striker Omar Cummings gave the Alamo City eleven the lead in the 52' with his second goal in as many games as a Scorpion. César Elizondo sent a through ball that opened up the Indy defense and gave Cummings the time and space to calmly side-foot the ball inside the far left post where Indy Eleven goalkeeper Christian Nicht had no chance to reach it.

The visitors equalized, however, just twelve minutes later as defender Erick Norales headed home a free kick sent in by Dylan Mares.

The Scorpions put the Eleven under intense pressure for most of the first half of play and created numerous quality chances, but Nicht was up to the task and came up with big saves each time. Marvin Chávez ripped a shot from 20 yards out in only the 7' that forced Nicht into a diving save. Then in the 16', Chávez sent in a nifty lob pass that fell to Billy Forbes' feet, but an onrushing Nicht was able to break up the dangerous play before the Turks and Caicos international could shoot.

Former Scorpions - and current Indy Eleven - captain Greg Janicki came up big for his new team in the 40' when he cleared a ball off his own line. Chávez took a shoot inside the box that deflected off of Janicki and that Nicht was unable to corral after the unexpected carom. Cummings quickly moved in to tap the ball in the open goal, but Janicki beat him to the ball and cleared it to end the dangerous situation.

Next week, the Scorpions hit the road for the first time in 2015 as they head to the north end of I-35 to take on Minnesota United. Indy Eleven will be back in Indianapolis to play the Carolina RailHawks at Carroll Stadium.

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North American Soccer League Stories from April 19, 2015


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