LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Tyler Pasher notched a second-half equalizer for Indy Eleven as the visitors earned a 1-1 draw with Louisville City FC on Saturday night at Lynn Family Stadium in the first Louisville Indianapolis Proximity Association Football Contest of the season.

Looking to get its season back on track, Louisville almost found a goal inside the opening two minutes. Napo Matsoso turned his marker inside-out on the right to create space and deliver a low cross that Cameron Lancaster had deflected wide by Indy’s Neveal Hackshaw. Just a minute later, however, Matsoso broke up play as Indy tried to break off the ensuing corner and delivered an angled cross to Speedy Williams on the left side of the penalty area to finish and put the hosts ahead.

LouCity almost doubled their lead inside the opening 10 minutes as Brian Ownby played Lancaster into space on the left, allowing the English forward a clear look on goal that was saved by Indy goalkeeper Evan Newton. The rebound fell nicely for Ownby, but his finish was dragged wide of the left post.

Indy had a half-chance in the 13th minute but Paddy Barrett was unable to get proper contact with his header on a free kick by Andrew Carleton from the left and the ball drifted comfortably wide of the right post. The visitors also had a good chance five minutes later when Ilija Ilic volleyed a deep cross from the left by Ayoze on target, but LouCity goalkeeper Ben Lundt was equal to the challenge.

Carleton threatened for Indy 13 minutes into the second half as he cut in from the left and sent a low shot to the far post that Lundt turned wide. Just before the hour-mark, however, the former U.S. youth international delivered an excellent cross from the right that picked out Pasher in the middle to finish for the Canadian’s seventh goal of the season.

A turnover in midfield by Louisville quickly offered Pasher his chance at a second on the night as Carleton sprang him in behind the host’s defense, but for once Pasher’s finish was off as he shot wide of the right post from the edge of the penalty area. Ownby then almost restored LouCity’s lead as his low shot from 25 yards was parried away by Newton.

Both teams pushed late to try and settle the contest, and Ownby made an acrobatic effort to put a shot on frame, forcing Newton into a save, after a free kick was flicked on to the right side of the penalty area in the final minute. The final chance came to LouCity’s Oscar Jimenez in stoppage time, however, and his low shot went wide of the left post as honors ended even.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Andrew Carleton, Indy Eleven – Carleton provided a beautiful assist for Pasher’s equalizer, had three key passes overall and completed 21 of 26 passes while winning 9 of 11 duels in his performance.