August 7, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rhode Island FC News Release
Rhode Island FC battles Indy Eleven
(Rhode Island FC)
INDIANAPOLIS – Rhode Island FC suffered its first loss in nearly two months on Wednesday when it fell 1-0 to Indy Eleven at IU Michael A. Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium. Despite an attacking surge in the late stages of the match, the Ocean State club could not overcome a narrow first-half deficit as its club-record eight-match undefeated run came to an end.
The first chance of the night for Rhode Island FC (6W-5L-11D) came in the 18th minute, when a quick buildup play in the final third freed up Joe Brito on the right wing. Working off the back of JJ Williams’ pass, Brito sent a one-touch cross into the six-yard box to Mark Doyle, who’s close-range effort forced a full-stretch save at the goalline from goalkeeper Hunter Sulte.
Indy Eleven (10W-7L-5D) struck first in the 34th minute, capitalizing on just its second shot on target of the match. The goal came from Sebastián Guenzatti, who picked Laurence Wootton’s cross out of the air with a right-footed volley from inside the 18-yard box that beat an outstretched Jackson Lee to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage. Indy would continue to pick up the pace on offense as the half continued, testing Jackson Lee with nine total shots, but RIFC remained resolute defensively to keep it a one-goal match as the teams went into the halftime break.
Eleven minutes into the second half, Augustine Williams thought he doubled the lead for Indy when he got on the end of a cutting pass through the RIFC defense in the penalty area, chipping the ball over Jackson Lee and into the back of the net before the play was flagged offside. Six minutes later, RIFC began to apply its own pressure when Frank Nodarse fired a shot from inside the box off the back of a dangerous set piece, but the effort was blocked out for a corner.
The Ocean State club came within inches of an equalizer in the 75th minute, when Nodarse’s close-range header off of a corner kick once again forced a full-stretch save at the goalline from Sulte. In the 87th minute, Indy had a golden opportunity to double its lead when Williams found himself one-on-one with Jackson Lee, but the ensuing shot was palmed over the bar by Lee.
Despite a second-half push that included seven corners, 63 percent of the ball and 88 passes in the attacking half, RIFC could not replicate its recent success as the hosts held on for a 1-0 win, delivering RIFC…