June 22, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Orange County SC News Release
After lengthy travel delays and an even longer injury report, Orange County SC ended their five match losing streak away from home and they did so by blanking the hottest team in the USL Championship, defeating the Indy Eleven 1-0 on Saturday, June 22 at Michael A. Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. The third goal of the season for forward Ethan Zubak and a seven save shutout from goalkeeper Colin Shutler secured a massive victory for the County Boys in the Circle City.
The first chance of the night for the Black and Orange came in the 16th minute when the ball found its way to midfielder Kyle Scott in the middle of the pitch. Scott scored from a similar position in OCSC’s last home match, but sent this shot up and over the bar.
The County Boys found the opener in the 25th minute, courtesy of a thunderous header from Zubak. After a corner was half cleared by Indy Eleven, the ball fell to the feet of defender Owen Lambe. He whipped in a cross from the right flank that an open Zubak powered past Eleven goalkeeper Hunter Sulte, and OCSC led 1-0.
The Black and Orange nearly had a second goal after a chaotic sequence in the 42nd minute. Forward Cameron Dunbar unleashed a shot from over 20 yards out that rang off the left post, off the back of Sulte, and off the right post. Zubak was there to tap the ball into an empty net, but the goal was disallowed for offsides in the build up.
Orange County SC took a lead into the halftime team talks for the first time in seven matches and did so without allowing a single shot on goal in the first 45 minutes.
After not having to make a save in the first half, Shutler was called into action early in the second half in the 46th minute. Shutler kept out a rocket from Indy Eleven captain Cameron Lindley.
Shutler made his second save of the evening in the 53rd minute after midfielder Laurence Wootton carried the ball to the top of the box and shot from distance, straight into the grateful arms of Shutler.
Indy Eleven appeared to tie up the match in the 62nd minute, after they had a similar sequence to OCSC’s chaotic sequence in the 42nd minute. A close range shot from substitute forward Romario Williams hit off the crossbar and fell at the feet of forward Augustine Williams in front of an open net. Augustine tapped home, but the goal was disallowed for offsides.
Orange County SC nearly doubled their lead in the 69th minute, after…