September 18, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Indy Eleven News Release
SEASIDE, Calif. – Indy Eleven saw its four-game unbeaten streak come to a halt this evening on the Pacific Coast against a motivated Monterey Bay F.C. side in a 5-0 defeat at Cardinale Stadium on the campus of Cal State Monterey Bay. The defeat, coupled with other results from around the Eastern Conference, officially eliminated Indiana’s Team from postseason contention, while Monterey Bay moved to within a point of the playoff line in the Western Conference with the result.
After Indy dominated possession for the opening 10 minutes the match became mired in the midfield through about the half hour mark. The first shot on goal came in the 26th minute when Eleven defender Jared Timmer got forward and into the right side of the area for a near-angle shot, but Monterey Bay ‘keeper Ahtony Siaha cut off the angle with a hard-charge off his line to make the save. The next minute saw Monterrey Bay midfielder Chase Boone receive the game’s first caution for a challenge on Eleven captain Neveal Hackshaw, perhaps coming out of it a little lucky not to see a red for the studs-up tackle.
Boone was fortunate again in the 31st minute, when he followed up Christian Volesky’s saved shot and slammed home the rebound to put the home side up 1-0 on the match’s first chance of note for either side. Less than two minutes later MBFC midfielder Simon Dawkins picked off a pass in the attacking third and nearly doubled the advantage, but his shot just trickled past the far post to divert disaster for the Boys in Blue.
The Californian side earned a slew of chances in the final five minutes of the half, starting with Indy goalkeeper Tim Trilk saving Hugh Roberts’ looping header in the 41st minute. MBFC’s growing stranglehold on possession in the final third paid off two minutes later thanks to a give-and-go at the top of the area between Sam Gleadle and Volesky that allowed the former space to center a dangerous cross for Boone on the doorstep. Eleven defender Robby Dambrot cut across and lunged to reach the ball first, only to send it across the goalline for an own goal that gave Monterey Bay a 2-0 lead. A close-range chance by Gleadle in stoppage time sailed over the bar, leaving the Boys in Blue ready to get into the locker room to regroup down only two.
The second half began as the first ended, with Monterey Bay keeping its foot on the gas in attack. James Murphy’s bending shot from 25…