Indy Eleven’s final road trip of the regular season will conclude in The Motor City where they will face off against Detroit FC on Friday night. Midfielder Addie Chester’s goal from 25 yards gave the Girls in Blue a 1-0 victory over Kalamazoo last Tuesday, keeping Indiana’s Team undefeated with a record of 7W-0L-2D. The team’s defensive play has been praised by Head Coach Paul Dolinsky, who is also pleased that they were able to win on the road.
“We put together a really good defensive performance. We created some more chances than a one-nothing score may indicate. But overall, it was a very, very good win up on the road at Kalamazoo,” Dolinsky said.
Both teams had several scoring chances in the first half, but Kalamazoo’s goalkeeper Nerea Mora gave the Girls in Blue a run for their money with her incredible show-stopping saves to keep the scoreboard at a standstill. After a scoreless first half, Chester’s goal in the 55th minute cheered up Indianapolis. Chester was the recipient of a fast pass from Rogers after she intercepted a ball in the middle of the field. Chester scored her first Indy Eleven goal from 25 yards out, bouncing her low attempt inside the right post.
Detroit City FC comes into Friday’s game with a loss against Midwest United FC, bringing their record to 3W-4L-3D, placing them fifth in the Great Lakes Division. One of the difficulties for the game, according to Dolinsky, will be traveling with a smaller roster that includes some new players.
“Unfortunately, circumstances have us traveling with the lighter roster or a newer roster. Part of our dynamic and dilemma with the summer league is girls have lives outside of soccer. And, unfortunately, the perfect storm hit this weekend where everybody seems to be doing something at the same time,” Dolinsky said. “We’ll have some new faces out there this weekend. And that’s what we’ll look to utilize for this weekend to help us to get over the line.”
Despite the challenge, Dolinsky said he is positive the Girls in Blue can give it their all in Friday’s battle against Detroit.
“The longer we can keep Detroit City at zero, the better of a chance we have,” Dolinsky said. “We’re going to need to make sure that we’re organized and we’re disciplined defensively and then allow the ability of our front three to hopefully take over the game at some point.”
