BY DAN STICKRADT
Communications Specialist | Web And Content Editor | Director of News |
Social Media Director | Interns and Freelance Coordinator
PH: (248) 884-1051
TW: @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Soccer is sometimes all about finishing opportunities. Indy 11 proved that on Wednesday night.
The hosts took advantage of an own-goal deflection and added two more goals off a limited number of scoring chances to down visiting Detroit City FC 3-0 in the Round of 16 of the 108th Annual Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Michael A. Carroll Stadium near downtown Indianapolis.
On the strength of an eight-game win streak, the Indy 11 advance to the Elite Eight of the U.S. Open Cup and will play against Atlanta United FC the week of July 9.
Indy 11 scored three times in a 22-minute span of the first half and held on to post the clean sheet, as the USL-Championship squad remained alive in the annual cup which invites a wide variety of clubs from the MLS, USL-Championship, USL-League One and NISA. Indy is one of three USL-Championship teams that reached the Elite Eight of the annual tournament.
Detroit City outshot Indy by a wide 17-6 margin, including 7-3 with shots on frame, and even held a 10-8 advantage off cornerkicks. The Le Rouge could simply not solve the Indy 11 defense.
Detroit City FC defeated the Indy 11 back on March 30 in an USL-Championship match, 2-1. There was no magic this time around.
Indy 11 took a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute on a bizarre play. Ben Mines slipped the ball to a rushing Ben Ofeimu down the right side and Ofeimu’s ensuing cross sailed into traffic in front of the DCFC goal only to have it ricocheted off of Detroit defender Stephen Carroll.
Indy 11 scored twice more in the first half and just three minutes apart. Augustine Williams netted the second goal in the 33rd minute and Ofeimu ended up with the brace when he converted in the 36th minute for the victors.
Jack Blake sent a defection following a cornerkick back into the box where Douglas Martinez flicked the ball backward to Williams who scored from close-range to make it 2-0.
The third goal came off a Aeden Stanley cornerkick which Ofeimu headed home to cap the scoring.
Hunter Sulte notched the shutout for Indy 11 on the strength of seven saves on the night.
All three shots put on Detroit City FC goalkeeper Carlos Saldana ended in goals.
(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer of teams or players with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com, or call 248-884-1051. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com.)
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