Adversity stared the Indiana Blast right in the eye Sunday evening.
But the home team responded with what its coach called "an awesome display of heart."
The Indiana Blast scored early then had to withstand a one-man disadvantage for 74 minutes to earn a 1-0 win over the Charleston Battery before a season-high turnout of 3,511 at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis.
It was the Blast's second win over the Battery this season and their second triumph in three days. Indiana won at Cincinnati 2-1 on Friday and tentatively moved into third place in the Central Conference at 7-8-0 and 31 points.
Charleston, second in the conference, dropped to 9-6-1 with 41 points.
The only goal of the match was scored in the when striker Rodrigo Costa shot a grounder to his right that caught Battery keeper Dusty Hudock flat-footed. Costa's goal, his 11th of the season, was assisted by Casey Sweeney.
That was key, because five minutes later Indiana defender Tom Keenan was sent off for what the referee ruled an intentional hand ball, leaving the Blast a man down.
Indiana coach Ian Martin disagreed with the red card, saying the referee had a bad angle and should have enlisted a linesman to help.
Nevertheless, the Blast had to suck it up, and that they did very well. Charleston fired seven shots on goal in the opening half to Indiana's three and outshot the Blast 20-7 for the match.
That meant plenty of work for Indiana keeper David Winner and he came up with six saves, including two difficult ones late in the first half.
It also meant Martin had to have fresh bodies ready, as he made five substitutions, including four in the final 13 minutes.
"We had good help off the bench," Martin said. "When (the subs) came on the guys stepped it up."
In fact, subs Jeff Dresser and Steve Weiger nearly had goals late in the contest, both barely missing solid chances.
"I can't tell you what I think it will do for our confidence to play with 10 guys," Martin said. "Maybe right before our fans' eyes tonight we're maturing."
The Blast have a pair of games in the Southeast this week, at Atlanta Thursday and at Charlotte Saturday. A sweep will put Indiana above the .500 mark for the first time this year.
"People around the league are looking around saying (Charleston is) the best team in the league and Indiana's got their number," Martin said. "I promise you, if we make the playoffs we're be one of the most feared teams and nobody will want to draw us."
LINEUPS
Charleston - 1-Hudock, 4-Piesner, 5-Rantala, 6-Jean-Baptiste, 8-Farris, 10-Conway, 13-Ball, 14-Akin (11-Cozier, 67th), 15-Webster (12-Trout, 62nd), 17-Warhan, 25-Wilson.
Indiana - 31-Winner, 2-Aldrich (19-Parrish, 31st), 3-Knott, 5-Sweeney (7-Demmin, 77th), 8-Tenoff (12-Weiger, 85th), 9-Donaldson, 10-Costa, 14-Allen, 16-Keenan, 17-Baah (6-Ottesen, 84th), 23-McDermott (4-Dresser, 64th).
Scoring: I-Costa (Sweeney, 11th).
Cautions: C-Rantala (61st), I-Tenoff (80th), C-Ball (90th).
Ejection - I-Keenan (16th).
Shots on goal: C 20, I 7.
Saves: C 1, I 6.
Fouls: C 15, I 17.
Offsides: C 4, I 3.
Corner kicks: C 10, I 2.
