Michael Pointer

michael.pointer@indystar.com

Indy Eleven forward Mike Ambersley already had a memorable week. His wife gave birth to a baby boy on Tuesday. He traded in practice time for short nights at home tending to George Michael Ambersley.

"I would like to say I'll get a good night's rest tonight, but I probably won't," the former Indiana University standout said Saturday. "I'm on about four hours sleep."

He got enough rest to carve a niche in local soccer history. The 10-year pro scored the first goal in Eleven history in the 43rd minute and the Eleven and the Carolina RailHawks played to a 1-1 tie before a capacity crowd of 11,048 at IUPUI's Carroll Stadium in a North American Soccer League game.

That initial goal had Hoosiers written all over it. Former Zionsville High standout and IU player A.J. Corrado made the pass that split a pair of Carolina defenders and sent Ambersley free.

"A.J. was on the left side and I was in the middle where I try to camp out a little bit," he said. "I just took the first touch and knew I had to get it out of my feet. All that was left was a touch to the far post."

Talk about a homecoming. Ambersley had a stellar career at IU, capped by the 2004 national championship game against UC-Santa Barbara. That match went to penalty kicks after two overtime sessions and Ambersley scored the eventual game-winner in the PK round.

No national titles were on the line on Saturday night. But Ambersley had a hard time coming up with a better moment during his pro career.

"I've played in front of big crowds, but nothing like this. . . It's going to be big to have them behind us all year," said Ambersley, who has previously played for Minnesota and Tampa Bay and has 31 career NASL goals.

Corrado also won a national title while playing at IU and was Indiana's Gatorade Player of the Year while leading Zionsville to a 2010 state title. He figured he would have to leave the area to find a professional atmosphere like this.

"I just feel very fortunate, coming back to my hometown, first year with the team, to step on the field tonight and get the start in front of family and friends," he said. "Unbelievable experience."

Eleven coach Juergen Sommer knew a sellout crowd would be on hand, but he said the atmosphere proved to be more electric than he anticipated.

"It really invigorated the players," he said. "It was like having a 12th man on the team. I could really see our players come out with a lot of character and fight. Even late in the game, we were trying to create chances and go forward."

But on a night largely filled in celebration, the visiting Railhawks kept it from being a total success. Zack Schilawski headed a cross from Tiyi Shipalane off the cross bar and into the net behind Eleven keeper Kristian Nicht to tie the score in the 50th minute.

The run of play was fairly even after that, but neither side was able to break the tie. The Eleven's best chance may have come from former Brazilian national Kleberson, who sent a twisting shot off a free kick from 25 yards out on goal, where Carolina keeper Akira Fitzgerald made an alert save and didn't give up a rebound.

"The second half was a little lackluster," Ambersley said. "We sat back a little and let their center backs control the ball. It ended up costing us. The whole team dropped off a little too much. We're disappointed, but we can take a lot of positives from it."

Sommer expects growing pains with a first-year team. He plans to try several different combinations in the first five or six games. He left disappointed in the tie, but optimistic that good things are ahead for the Eleven.

"We're building a brand new franchise," he said. "Some areas we went soft on, particularly early in the second half and they scored that goal. But overall, I'm really pleased with the character the players showed on the field tonight."

Call Star reporter Michael Pointer at (317) 444-2709. Follow him on Twitter @michaelpointer