EVANSVILLE, IN – Saint Louis FC faced their second preseason test in four days and recorded their second tie as they drew 1-1 with Indy Eleven in a hard fought game at Arad McCutchen stadium at the University of Evansville late Wednesday evening.
After facing fellow USL western conference contenders OKC energy to a blank 0-0 on Sunday, it was a short trip to Indiana to face the dangerous NASL team at the first ever professional game played on the campus at UE.
With only 2 lineup changes to the team from Sunday, the regular lineup is beginning to take shape. New acquisitions Chad Bond, Tyler David, Irvin Herrera all started and the game and Saint Louis ran the game from the beginning. David and Bond were solid in the midfield, while Jamiel Hardware, Richard Dixon were a menace all night crossing balls into the middle for Herrera. Despite out shooting Indy 6 to 2 in the first half, Saint Louis FC went into the break being blanked again 0-0. However it was just a matter of time before the deadlock was broken.
Just two minutes into the second half it was Herrera who found himself with ample time and space in the penalty box to slot home a comfortable finish. The El Salvadorian International celebrated his first goal for the club with his trademark somersault to the delight of the travelling Saint Louis fan who made the trip.
After an hour, both teams made wholesale changes to the lineups with substitutions being made and that caused quite the disruption in the flow of the game, however that didn’t stop Don Smart from netting a clinical finish from the angle to draw Indy level in the 65th minute.
Jermie Lynch in action for Saint Louis FC against Indy Eleven.
Saint Louis FC still had chances to finish the game victorious as Ambersley, Ciccierelli and Lynch were brought on to try and find a winner, However it was New boys Herrera and Tyler David who stole the show for Coach Dale Schilly’s team.
“Irvin [Herrera] had three legitimate chances and scored the goal on his last chance.” said Coach Schilly. “He’s looking to always try to score goals and as the guys get an understanding about where he would like to receive the ball, he’ll have a lot of chances to score goals.”
Saint Louis FC will face SIUE at Korte Stadium Edwardsville on Saturday 3pm. The regular USL season begins on the road for STLFC as they take on Real Monarchs on March 26th.
