Forward Aris Briggs Registers Second Half Goal and Assist in Comeback Win
INDIANAPOLIS – In its penultimate match of the 2022 preseason, Indy Eleven pushed its spring exhibition record to 4W-1L-2D by defeating Chicago Fire FC via a 2-1 result. Indiana’s Team did its damage on the scoreboard in the second half, with goals by forward Aris Briggs and a guest forward helping the Eleven overcome an early first half goal by the visitors.
Today’s 90-minute match took place behind closed doors at IUPUI Michael A. Carroll Stadium, which in 2022 will serve as the team’s home venue for a sixth season in what will be the Eleven’s ninth year of play. Indy Eleven’s final preseason contest will take place on Saturday afternoon at Columbus Crew 2, which will put a bow on preparations for the squad’s 2022 USL Championship regular season opener at Loudoun United FC next Saturday, March 12 (6:00 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+).
After a quiet first ten minutes of play, the first true scoring chance for either side came in the 12th minute off a corner kick for Chicago. However, Eleven midfielder Neveal Hackshaw made a pivotal challenge to knock the short-range chance up and over goal, keeping the match scoreless. That changed just a minute later, when a Fire attacker beat a defender and converted on an uncontested shot from just inside the top of the area to take a 1-0 lead for the visitors.
The attack for Chicago continued to carry the better chances through about the first half hour, but goalkeeper Tim Trilk made three huge first half stops – including two on 1-v-1 chances – to keep the game within a goal’s grasp for the Eleven. The Boys in Blue gradually brought their own danger into the scoring area, including a display of great pace from the squad’s starting guest forward to create a chance in the 25th minute and a shot of his own that was blocked in the 32nd minute. Another chance fell to the foot of midfielder Justin Ingram for Indy in the 37th minute, but ultimately the score remained 1-0 in favor of Chicago heading into the break.
Indy began a much more active second half offensively with an odd-man attack in the 48th minute spearheaded by midfielder Raul Aguilera’s pass towards the right endline for Hackshaw, whose near-angle shot landed in the outside netting. Shortly after in the 51st minute, Indy broke its scoring seal, as recently signed Academy player Palmer Ault deftly chested down a ball at the top of the area into the path of Aris Briggs, who took a touch before finishing from 15 yards to even the score. Indy quickly generated another chance on midfielder Bryam Rebellon’s saved shot, with Ault’s rebound follow up also snagged by Chicago’s ‘keeper.
With the tide turned in Indy’s favor, Briggs continued the scoring chances for the home side with a saved header and highlight reel bicycle kick that went inches wide in the 59th and 60th minutes, respectively. While Ault’s brief appearance in the match as a halftime substitute ended in the 72nd minute, he nearly left one more good impression with his final action of the day, only to see his shot from eight yards out saved.
Head Coach Mark Lowry inserted another guest forward in Ault’s place, and the move paid off with a game-winner in the 84th minute. After collecting Briggs’ flick-on from midfield, the striker carried for 20 yards up the middle of the field before sailing his 12-yard shot into goal for the 2-1 scoreline, which Indy Eleven carried through the rest of regulation and two minutes of added time despite a barrage of Fire crosses into the area.
2022 Spring Preseason Exhibition
Indy Eleven 2 : 1 Chicago Fire FC
Friday, March 4, 2021
IUPUI Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, Ind.
Scoring Summary:
CHI – Goal 13’
IND – Aris Briggs (Palmer Ault) 51’
IND – Guest FW #2 (Aris Briggs) 84’
Disciplinary Summary:
IND – Neveal Hackshaw (yellow card) 22’
Indy Eleven lineup (4-4-2): Tim Trilk; Jared Timmer, Mechack Jerome, Guest DF #1 (Palmer Ault 45’) (Guest FW #2, 72’), Alex McQueen; Raul Aguilera, Neveal Hackshaw, Justin Ingram, Bryam Rebellon; Aris Briggs, Guest FW #1 (Sam Brown 72’)
Indy Eleven 2022 Preseason Exhibition Schedule
Wednesday, Feb. 9 Indy Eleven 7 : 0 Marian University
Saturday, Feb. 12 Indy Eleven 4 : 2 University of Indianapolis
Wednesday, Feb. 16 Indy Eleven 1 : 1 Detroit City FC
Saturday, Feb. 19 Indy Eleven 3 : 0 Sporting Kansas City II
Tuesday, Feb. 22 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 2 : 0 Indy Eleven
Friday, Feb. 25 Indy Eleven 1 : 1 St. Louis City SC
Friday, March 4 Indy Eleven 2 : 1 Chicago Fire FC
Saturday, March 5 at Columbus Crew – CLOSED DOOR
