By: Battery Media
INDIANAPOLIS – The Charleston Battery drew 1-1 on the road against Indy Eleven at IUPUI Michael A. Carroll Stadium on Wednesday. After a scoreless first half, a penalty spot conversion from Indy and an equalizer by Tristan Trager in the second half saw the points shared in the midweek duel.
With a relatively quiet start to the match, Fidel Barajas uncorked the first shot of the night in the 8th minute, which rocked off the crossbar following a robust charge into the final third by Arturo Rodriguez.
Indy's first real chance came in the 26th minute when Sebastian Guenzatti took a shot from inside the box that was blocked by Leland Archer.
Goalkeeper Trey Muse came up big in the 35th minute to make his lone save of the first half, denying Aodhan Quinn from inside the six-yard box with a kick-save.
Charleston and Indy went into halftime scoreless, but the Battery dominated possession, retaining just under 60% in the first half.
The opening goal of the night came in the 61st minute when Quinn converted from the penalty spot. The penalty was awarded after a foul was drawn in the box by Douglas Martinez following light contact with Deklan Wynne.
Charleston remained resolute in searching for an equalizer after going down 1-0 after the spot conversion.
Tristan Trager, less than 10 minutes removed from entering the match, tied the game in the 77th minute after beating both Indy's goalkeeper and a defender for an easy tap-in on goal. Emilio Ycaza played a long ball over the top to Trager for the assist and the forward capitalized on Indy's apparent miscommunication, Trager then strolled towards the net for one of the easiest goals of the season.
Trager's goal was his second of the season, his first in league play, and Ycaza's assist was his first of 2023.
The Battery pushed forward for a go-ahead goal, with Rogriguez, Augi Williams and substitute Beto Avila leading much of the charge up top.
Indy were reduced to 10 men when Avila's pressure paid off and drew a yellow card against Robby Dambrot at the edge of the box, his second of the night to earn him an early dismissal. Rodriguez fired the ensuing free kick to the top of the goal but it was saved by Yannik Oettl.
Charleston and Indy would settle for a point each in the 1-1 draw. The Battery out possessed Indy 58% to 42%, noteworthy as Indy entered the match leading the league in average possession.
The Battery have now won 10 points from losing positions in the USL Championship this season, no team has recovered more.
