Kevin Johnston

IndyStar correspondent

Facing a team with more to play for is never a stroll in the park.

The Indy Eleven found that out Saturday early on against a highly motivated Carolina RailHawks side, but ultimately prevailed 3-0 at home thanks to goals from Justin Braun, Nicki Paterson and Souleymane Youla.

Indy, the New York Cosmos and FC Edmonton have already punched tickets to the North American Soccer League playoffs, while Carolina finds itself immersed in a tight six-team battle for the fourth and final spot.

In the NASL’s 32-game split season, the spring and fall winners play home matches in the semifinals, joined by the two teams with the best records in the combined standings that didn’t win either season.

“Carolina was in that desperate spot where you’re one of those teams vying for that fourth slot,” Hankinson said. “We knew that they’d come in very hungry and aggressive, and also desperate.”

After a fairly even first half, the teams appeared likely to head to the break tied at 0. But Eleven central attacking midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic served in a dangerous ball in the 45th minute that Braun buried for a 1-0 halftime lead.

Paterson tacked on another on a free kick in the 77th minute after subbing in for Ubiparipovic. Braun found himself alone in behind the Carolina back line, and a helpless defender pulled him down from behind just outside the 18-yard box to set up Paterson’s tally.

Youla erased any doubt with a 90th-minute goal on a perfect pass from right winger Don Smart to seal matters. The 3-0 loss was deflating for the RailHawks’ playoff chances, and especially discouraging after playing the Eleven on near-level terms in the first half.

With Gerardo Torrado dinged, Brad Ring started and put in a very active shift in the central midfield for Indy. He constantly disrupted Carolina’s attack, and linked play well from defense to offense.

Lovel Palmer continued his stellar play since switching to center back, a move necessitated by injuries to Greg Janicki and Cory Miller.

“I like being in the middle of the pitch,” Palmer said. “I played center back when I was on the Portland Timbers. It’s nothing new to me.”

Janicki has healed up – he was available on the bench – and is working his way back to top form. Omar Gordon also returned to the Eleven bench after a successful stint with the Jamaica national team in the third round of the Caribbean Cup, but didn’t appear.

Indy will finish out its NASL regular-season slate at Tampa Bay, home versus Puerto Rico and at Rayo OKC, then will host a to-be-determined playoff opponent Nov. 5 at Carroll Stadium.

Hankinson confirmed that he’s likely to rest several starters Wednesday in Tampa with a grueling schedule on the horizon.