Hounds battle Indy Eleven to 1-1 draw

From Riverhounds SC report 

Riverhounds SC battled to a draw in their penultimate match of the preseason, as they finished level with Indy Eleven, 1-1, on Saturday afternoon at Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis.

Russell Cicerone tied the game for the Hounds with his first goal of the preseason in the 51st minute, just three minutes after Manuel Arteaga had put the home side in the lead. The Hounds’ preseason record moved to 2-1-2 with one exhibition match remaining.

“I think Indy has a good team, and it was a physical game, which was good for us to have,” Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley said. “I think we can hang on to the ball a bit better, but the game was pretty even.”

The Hounds had the bulk of the chances in the first half, including a first-half goal disallowed, but the game got to the break scoreless.

“It was a pretty good first half, especially the first 30 minutes. I thought we were quite good and got chances from set pieces and corner kicks. We were dictating play but ran out of gas toward the end of the half,” Lilley said.

Arteaga’s goal caught the Hounds being a little lax in their marking early in the second half, as he smashed home a pass from Cammy Smith at close range.

Cicerone’s goal just three minutes later was created when Alex Dixon made a well-timed run to get behind the Indy defense and in position to deliver a good cross to Cicerone for the finish.

Goalkeeper Danny Vitiello, who entered the game after halftime, helped preserve the draw by saving a penalty kick taken by Indy’s Jordan Hamilton in the 57th minute. The Hounds continued to utilize their bench in the second half as they have all preseason, though the shifts got a bit longer for many of today’s starters.

“The last 10 minutes, you could tell we still need to get a bit fitter,” Lilley said. “We had a few more players play 90 minutes today, and some more who had been playing 55 or 60 played 70. Overall, I was happy with their effort.”

Indy Eleven is the only preseason opponent the Hounds will face again in the regular season, as the two teams are scheduled to meet Tuesday, June 15, for an 8 p.m. kickoff that will be televised nationally on ESPN Deportes.

The Hounds have one match remaining in their preseason; they will host Philadelphia Union II at noon on Saturday, May 1 at Highmark Stadium. That match will be closed to the public, but media will be able to attend.

Riverhounds starting lineup — Jake Leeker; Dani Rovira, Preston Kilwien, *Shane Wiedt, Mekeil Williams, Jordan Dover; Kenardo Forbes, Anthony Velarde, Alex Dixon; Russell Cicerone, Albert Dikwa

* — denotes trialist

Indy Eleven starting lineup — Jordan Farr; Neveal Hackshaw, A.J. Cochran, Jared Timmer, Rece Buckmaster; Cammy Smith, Nicky Law, Patrick Seagrist, Gershon Koffie; Manuel Arteaga, Jordan Hamilton

(Full substitution information not available)

Scoring summary

IND — Manuel Arteaga 48’ (Cammy Smith)

PIT — Russell Cicerone 51’ (Alex Dixon)