Despite a thrilling goal, Indy Eleven settle for a draw

Kevin Johnston | Special to IndyStar



INDIANAPOLIS – Indy Eleven forward Soony Saad's appearance on the SportsCenter Top 10 earlier this season must've gone to his head. Against Nashville SC on April 14, Saad ripped a free kick from 35 yards out to make the list.

In Indy's thrilling 3-3 draw over the Charleston Battery on Wednesday at Lucas Oil Stadium, Saad duplicated the feat, hitting another screamer perhaps even nastier than the first. Central midfielder Brad Ring tapped the ball on the indirect free kick, and Saad's strike had so much swerve that opposing goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky didn't even budge as the ball soared into the top right corner.

"That's the easiest assist I'll ever get," Ring said. "Soony's hitting the ball well. He hits it good in practice. He's hit a couple in games. He hits it hard, and when he hits it it dances and it's tough for goalies to get a read on."

Left back Ayoze scored Indy's other two goals, the first on a converted penalty and the second via a free kick from the edge of the box in the stoppage time that looked like it would be the winner. Charleston responded a minute later, however, on a clever pass and finish from Ataulla Guerra to Tah Anunga shortly before the final whistle.

"It was a really exciting game if you were coming to watch as a neutral fan," said Eleven head coach Martin Rennie. "A roller coaster of emotions where you're up and then down, and then up again, and then down."

On the whole, the individual moments of brilliance by Saad and Ayoze somewhat masked what was just an OK performance by the hosts. Saad's strike was the only shot on target by either team in the first half, as neither side generated much in the way of quality chances early.

Charleston made it 1-1 as midfielder O'Brian Woodbine scored in the 62nd minute on a rebound. Forward Gordon Wild attempted a shot from just outside the box that required a save by Indy goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams, and Woodbine -- wisely finishing his run at the far post -- slotted the ball into the back of the net.

The visitors took a brief 2-1 lead in the 80th when Nicholas Rittmeyer got behind the defense and played a low cross to the near post that Guerra banged home. But moments later, Indy forward Jack McInerney was shoved down in the box and Ayoze tied it 2-2 from the spot.

Once stoppage time rolled around, the drama escalated. Ayoze's second brought the crowd of 8,070 to its feet thinking a win for the hosts was moments away, only for Anunga to play the spoiler with a stunner.

"It was just a crazy game," Rennie said. "Not one you see very often."

The draw moved the Eleven’s winless streak to four matches. They host Atlanta United FC 2 on June 9.