Preseason Recap – Indy Eleven 3 : 1 Indiana University
Goals from Andrew Stone, Kleberson and Don Smart Lift Eleven Past Hoosiers in Preseason Finale;
Just Eight Days Remain until Eleven’s Inaugural Game in NASL Play at IUPUI’s Carroll Stadium
INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, April 4, 2014) – After going down a goal against the run of play in the first half, Indy Eleven battled back against Indiana University to earn a 3-1 victory in the NASL expansion club’s first match held at Michael A. Carroll Stadium at IUPUI. Recent signee Kleberson tallied his second goal in as many games and anchored the midfield in his first start for the club. Friday night’s final preseason exhibition game matched Indy Eleven’s five Hoosier alums against their former colors.
“It was great to be here at Carroll Stadium, to see our fans in the stands and have them provide an atmosphere for our players to get used to,” said Indy Eleven Head Coach Juergen Sommer. “This was a really good test for us. [IU] really came out and put some pressure on us, so it was nice to have that level of competition.”
After trading giveaways for the first five minutes, the Indy Eleven midfield dominated the bulk of possession in the first half. The impressive ball movement created a bevy of dangerous chances for Indy Eleven to get on the board first, but IU goalkeeper Colin Webb looked solid in between the posts. Eleven midfielder Walter Ramirez’s near-post effort in the ninth minute was pushed wide and Chris Estridge’s bid shortly after was also thwarted by Webb.
Despite not seeing much possession for the majority of the first half, it was the Hoosiers who got on the board first in the 39th minute. Andrew Oliver broke free from the midfield and fired a shot from about 30 yards out that pinged off the top post. IU’s Femi Hollinger-Janzen was in the right place at the right time and headed the ball past a stranded Kristian Nicht in the Eleven goal to put the visitors from Bloomington on top.
Indy Eleven wasted little time getting back on the attack, and a hard foul on Corby Moore in the 45th minute offered the home team a chance to even it up before halftime. Kleberson lined up to take the free kick and played a beautiful, sinking shot that forced a low save from Webb. The spilled save was waiting for a charging Stone, who smashed the rebound home and put Indy Eleven equal at 1-1.
The second half brought the same Eleven lineup as well as the same midfield dominance. Despite a handful of dangerous attacking chances it was unsurprisingly Kleberson who was able to break the tie for the Eleven. In the 64th minute the Brazilian midfielder teed up a shot from 28 yards out that curved low and skipped inside the right post and past a diving Webb.
“[Kleberson] has been a real pro all around and his experience speaks for itself. He got a longer stretch (of play) and a start tonight and we just want to work towards getting him 90 minutes ready,” said Sommer of the Brazilian midfielder. “We have some young, talented players that are learning and enjoying playing with him every day.”
Former Indiana Hoosier and Indy Eleven trialist Dylan Mares also looked to make his mark on the game in the 72nd minute when he pinged a strike off the top post from about 35 yards out. As the chances continued to pile up for the Eleven, it was eventually substitute midfielder Don Smart that finished the score sheet entries for the evening a minute into stoppage time. A brilliantly placed free kick from midfield by Jaime Frias found a wide open Smart, who drove the ball into the upper corner and closed out the Hoosiers.
“We finally feel like we’ve got our group here in town now and that we’re settling into a little groove,” said Sommer. “We’ll get there. We’ll get better ever week with every game, but you can see the little combination play starting to pick up and guys making runs and creating quality chances for each other.”
Tonight’s win marked the end of Indy Eleven’s preseason, and now all sights are set on the club’s historic NASL opener on Saturday, April 12, when Indiana’s team will host the Carolina RailHawks at Carroll Stadium. The Inaugural Game in just eight days will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET and, like all home regular season matches, will be televised live on MyINDY TV-23.
Fans looking for more reaction from tonight’s contest can tune into the second edition of “Soccer Saturday, presented by Indy Eleven,” Saturday morning from 9:00-10:00 a.m. on 107.5 FM/1070 AM The Fan, also available online at www.1070TheFan.com. Tomorrow’s edition will feature Coach Sommer, defender Chris Estridge and IUPUI Men’s Soccer Head Coach Isang Jacob catching up with host Greg Rakestraw.
Indy Eleven Preseason Exhibition
Indy Eleven 3 : 1 Indiana University (NCAA)
Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
Friday, April 4, 2014
Scoring Summary:
IU – Femi Hollinger-Janzen (unassisted) 39’
IND – Andrew Stone (unassisted) 45’
IND – Kleberson (unassisted) 64’
IND – Don Smart (Jaime Frias) 91’
Discipline Summary:
IND – Don Smart (caution) 87’
Indy Eleven Line-up (4-4-2): Kristian Nicht; Chris Estridge (Chris Wey 81’) , Andrew Stone, Erick Norales (Jaime Frias 69’) Kyle Hyland; Brad Ring (Baba Omosegbon 81), A.J. Corrado, Kleberson (Dylan Mares 69’), Walter Ramirez (Don Smart 61’); Corby Moore (Kevin Rozo 76’), Mike Ambersley (Ben Spencer 69’).
Indiana University (4-4-2): Colin Webb; Billy McConnell, Patrick Doody, Matt Foldesy, Jack Griffith; Jamie Vollmer, Dylan Lax, Richard Ballard (Matt McKain 45’), Kyle Sparks (Michael Riedford 29’) (Kyle Sparks 45’); Andrew Oliver, Femi Hollinger-Janzen.
Indy Eleven 2014 Preseason Schedule
Feb. 5 – Indy Eleven 2 : 3 Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS)
- Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, Ariz.
Feb. 7 – Indy Eleven 1 : 3 Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
- Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz.
Feb. 12 – Indy Eleven 0 : 1 Portland Timbers FC (MLS)
- Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz.
Feb. 26 – Indy Eleven 2 : 4 Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
- ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Fla.
Mar 15 – Indy Eleven 2 : 0 Tourbeau Soccer Academy
- Westfield High School in Westfield, IN
Mar. 22 – University of Louisville (NCAA) 2 : 2 Indy Eleven
- Cardinal Park in Louisville, KY
Apr. 1 – Indy Eleven 1 : 3 Chicago Fire (MLS)
- Boilermaker Soccer Complex in West Lafayette, IN
Apr. 4 – Indy Eleven 3 : 1 Indiana University (NCAA)
- Michael A. Carroll Stadium at IUPUI in Indianapolis
Indy Eleven 2014 North American Soccer League Regular Season
Apr. 12 – Indy Eleven vs. Carolina RailHawks
- 7:30 p.m. ET at Michael A. Carroll Stadium at IUPUI in Indianapolis
Apr. 19 – Indy Eleven vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
- 7:30 p.m. ET at Michael A. Carroll Stadium at IUPUI in Indianapolis
Apr. 26 – Indy Eleven at Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- 7:30 p.m. ET at Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Preseason Recap – Indy Eleven 3 : 1 Indiana University
Goals from Andrew Stone, Kleberson and Don Smart Lift Eleven Past Hoosiers in Preseason Finale;
Just Eight Days Remain until Eleven’s Inaugural Game in NASL Play at IUPUI’s Carroll Stadium
INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, April 4, 2014) – After going down a goal against the run of play in the first half, Indy Eleven battled back against Indiana University to earn a 3-1 victory in the NASL expansion club’s first match held at Michael A. Carroll Stadium at IUPUI. Recent signee Kleberson tallied his second goal in as many games and anchored the midfield in his first start for the club. Friday night’s final preseason exhibition game matched Indy Eleven’s five Hoosier alums against their former colors.
“It was great to be here at Carroll Stadium, to see our fans in the stands and have them provide an atmosphere for our players to get used to,” said Indy Eleven Head Coach Juergen Sommer. “This was a really good test for us. [IU] really came out and put some pressure on us, so it was nice to have that level of competition.”
After trading giveaways for the first five minutes, the Indy Eleven midfield dominated the bulk of possession in the first half. The impressive ball movement created a bevy of dangerous chances for Indy Eleven to get on the board first, but IU goalkeeper Colin Webb looked solid in between the posts. Eleven midfielder Walter Ramirez’s near-post effort in the ninth minute was pushed wide and Chris Estridge’s bid shortly after was also thwarted by Webb.
Despite not seeing much possession for the majority of the first half, it was the Hoosiers who got on the board first in the 39th minute. Andrew Oliver broke free from the midfield and fired a shot from about 30 yards out that pinged off the top post. IU’s Femi Hollinger-Janzen was in the right place at the right time and headed the ball past a stranded Kristian Nicht in the Eleven goal to put the visitors from Bloomington on top.
Indy Eleven wasted little time getting back on the attack, and a hard foul on Corby Moore in the 45th minute offered the home team a chance to even it up before halftime. Kleberson lined up to take the free kick and played a beautiful, sinking shot that forced a low save from Webb. The spilled save was waiting for a charging Stone, who smashed the rebound home and put Indy Eleven equal at 1-1.
The second half brought the same Eleven lineup as well as the same midfield dominance. Despite a handful of dangerous attacking chances it was unsurprisingly Kleberson who was able to break the tie for the Eleven. In the 64th minute the Brazilian midfielder teed up a shot from 28 yards out that curved low and skipped inside the right post and past a diving Webb.
“[Kleberson] has been a real pro all around and his experience speaks for itself. He got a longer stretch (of play) and a start tonight and we just want to work towards getting him 90 minutes ready,” said Sommer of the Brazilian midfielder. “We have some young, talented players that are learning and enjoying playing with him every day.”
Former Indiana Hoosier and Indy Eleven trialist Dylan Mares also looked to make his mark on the game in the 72nd minute when he pinged a strike off the top post from about 35 yards out. As the chances continued to pile up for the Eleven, it was eventually substitute midfielder Don Smart that finished the score sheet entries for the evening a minute into stoppage time. A brilliantly placed free kick from midfield by Jaime Frias found a wide open Smart, who drove the ball into the upper corner and closed out the Hoosiers.
“We finally feel like we’ve got our group here in town now and that we’re settling into a little groove,” said Sommer. “We’ll get there. We’ll get better ever week with every game, but you can see the little combination play starting to pick up and guys making runs and creating quality chances for each other.”
Tonight’s win marked the end of Indy Eleven’s preseason, and now all sights are set on the club’s historic NASL opener on Saturday, April 12, when Indiana’s team will host the Carolina RailHawks at Carroll Stadium. The Inaugural Game in just eight days will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET and, like all home regular season matches, will be televised live on MyINDY TV-23.
Fans looking for more reaction from tonight’s contest can tune into the second edition of “Soccer Saturday, presented by Indy Eleven,” Saturday morning from 9:00-10:00 a.m. on 107.5 FM/1070 AM The Fan, also available online at www.1070TheFan.com. Tomorrow’s edition will feature Coach Sommer, defender Chris Estridge and IUPUI Men’s Soccer Head Coach Isang Jacob catching up with host Greg Rakestraw.
Indy Eleven Preseason Exhibition
Indy Eleven 3 : 1 Indiana University (NCAA)
Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
Friday, April 4, 2014
Scoring Summary:
IU – Femi Hollinger-Janzen (unassisted) 39’
IND – Andrew Stone (unassisted) 45’
IND – Kleberson (unassisted) 64’
IND – Don Smart (Jaime Frias) 91’
Discipline Summary:
IND – Don Smart (caution) 87’
Indy Eleven Line-up (4-4-2): Kristian Nicht; Chris Estridge (Chris Wey 81’) , Andrew Stone, Erick Norales (Jaime Frias 69’) Kyle Hyland; Brad Ring (Baba Omosegbon 81), A.J. Corrado, Kleberson (Dylan Mares 69’), Walter Ramirez (Don Smart 61’); Corby Moore (Kevin Rozo 76’), Mike Ambersley (Ben Spencer 69’).
Indiana University (4-4-2): Colin Webb; Billy McConnell, Patrick Doody, Matt Foldesy, Jack Griffith; Jamie Vollmer, Dylan Lax, Richard Ballard (Matt McKain 45’), Kyle Sparks (Michael Riedford 29’) (Kyle Sparks 45’); Andrew Oliver, Femi Hollinger-Janzen.
Indy Eleven 2014 Preseason Schedule
Feb. 5 – Indy Eleven 2 : 3 Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS)
- Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, Ariz.
Feb. 7 – Indy Eleven 1 : 3 Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
- Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz.
Feb. 12 – Indy Eleven 0 : 1 Portland Timbers FC (MLS)
- Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz.
Feb. 26 – Indy Eleven 2 : 4 Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
- ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Fla.
Mar 15 – Indy Eleven 2 : 0 Tourbeau Soccer Academy
- Westfield High School in Westfield, IN
Mar. 22 – University of Louisville (NCAA) 2 : 2 Indy Eleven
- Cardinal Park in Louisville, KY
Apr. 1 – Indy Eleven 1 : 3 Chicago Fire (MLS)
- Boilermaker Soccer Complex in West Lafayette, IN
Apr. 4 – Indy Eleven 3 : 1 Indiana University (NCAA)
- Michael A. Carroll Stadium at IUPUI in Indianapolis
Indy Eleven 2014 North American Soccer League Regular Season
Apr. 12 – Indy Eleven vs. Carolina RailHawks
- 7:30 p.m. ET at Michael A. Carroll Stadium at IUPUI in Indianapolis
Apr. 19 – Indy Eleven vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
- 7:30 p.m. ET at Michael A. Carroll Stadium at IUPUI in Indianapolis
Apr. 26 – Indy Eleven at Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- 7:30 p.m. ET at Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
