INDIANAPOLIS – In the second of three preseason exhibition matches, the Jags struck first but were unable to hold onto the lead, drawing 1-1 after conceding early in the second stanza.
"Overall, it was a good preseason test," stated head coach
Sid van Druenen after the match. "We are a little disappointed we didn't get the win today, but we saw a lot of good things on the ball and in transition."
After holding the lion's share of possession for most of the first half, the Jags finally broke through in the 37th minute on an
Emerson Nieto goal. Nieto began the play by sending a ball in behind the defense to
Logan Finnegan. After some excellent hold up play, Finnegan returned the ball to Nieto who calmly slotted the ball past the Knight's keeper and into the side netting to get the Jags on the scoreboard.
"The midfielder for Marian wasn't tracking back so I just took off and beat him in a foot race. (Finnegan) saw me, played me a good ball to my front foot and I took a positive touch to goal and it hit the back of the net," said Nieto of the goal.
Seconds after the restart, Marian looked to equalize as Phillip Seifert's shot from outside the box was deflected and rolled just beyond the post. In the final minute of play in the first half the Jags conceded a corner that after bouncing around inside the 18 was eventually cleared by Nieto to close the opening 45.
The Knights opened the second half scoring, knotting the match at one after a beautiful curler from just outside the 18 by Sebastian Gonzalez found its way over
Bryson Najarian's head and into the back of the net.
The sides battled over the next 40-plus minutes, but neither was able to find a winner despite having multiple half-chances.
"We have a lot of talent in this group," concluded Nieto. "I know we can do great things and go far, so I'm looking forward to it."
The final tune-up before the regular season takes place Sunday, Aug. 20 at Carroll Stadium with kick-off set for 4:00 p.m. The game will cap a Spirit Day doubleheader as the women's team will host a 1:00 p.m. kick-off that day.
