CARY, N.C. – A lone first half goal and a late penalty save pushed Indy Eleven to a 1-0 victory over North Carolina FC at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday night. Indy scored the opener in the 15th minute after a bad giveaway from NCFC defender Futty Danso allowed Indy forward Justin Braun to send the ball through for midfielder Tyler Pasher, and with the defense caught out he shot accurately across the face and into the back of the net. North Carolina went agonizingly close on the half-hour mark when forward Daniel Rios turned his defender and hit a curling strike which beat the goalkeeper but could only find the crossbar. With 20 minutes to go North Carolina midfielder Austin da Luz went close to an equalizer after some slick passing around the area opened up space for a square ball but da Luz could only get the ball into the side-netting. North Carolina saw plenty of the ball in the second half but was stifled by a strong Indy defense which only slipped up in stoppage time, conceding a penalty kick, but goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams stepped up to save from NCFC's Kyle Bekker to seal his side the three points.

Scoring
15’ – IND – Tyler Pasher (Justin Braun)

• #NCvIND: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. It has not been an easy start to life in USL for North Carolina FC. Through three matches, NCFC is still looking for its first win. The positive signs were there in this match, as NCFC dominated possession with 67.7 percent of the ball and if Head Coach Colin Clarke's side can convert that success to better chances in the future it will surely have its first USL win. The club's next chance comes against the Charlotte Independence next weekend.

• 2. Indy Eleven continued its strong road start to the season, winning its second game, with both wins coming away from home. That will need to change next week as Indy Eleven welcomes fellow expansion side Nashville SC to Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday afternoon, but the resilience the side showed in tough conditions on Saturday night was a big plus.

• 3. The first goal in a match is often crucial and that proved to be the case for Indy yet again, with Tyler Pasher's first goal for the club ending up winning the match. An offseason arrival from the Swope Park Rangers, Pasher's eye for goal has been notable previously in his USL career, and getting off the mark for the new season in his new colors will be a nice confidence boost.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:

Tyler Pasher, Indy Eleven – Pasher scored the lone goal of the match thanks to a great run which was what the midfielder kept doing all match while managing a 75 percent passing accuracy to try and set up opportunities for his teammates.

Upcoming Games:
North Carolina FC vs. Charlotte Independence – April 14, 7p.m. ET, Sportsplex at Matthews
Indy Eleven vs. Nashville SC  – April 15, 12p.m. ET, Lucas Oil Stadium