For the third game in a row, the Indiana Blast struck early Friday night.
But unlike their last outing, their defense helped the lead stand up for the remainder of the contest.
Midfielder Andy McDermott's goal in the 12th minute propelled Indiana to a 1-0 victory over the El Paso Patriots at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis, as the Blast atoned for a disheartening 3-2 overtime loss to Charleston Tuesday.
The Blast did it without three hurting regulars, including leading scorer Rodrigo Costa, who was held out after sustaining an ankle injury against Charleston.
And they couldn't have done it without solid defense as well as goalkeeping by David Winner, which was required to turn back several strong Patriot attacks after the goal. El Paso outshot Indiana 11-2 in the second half and 16-10 for the match.
"Somehow during the season we found a way to give away the lead and go into overtime and lose it, but tonight we battled," Blast coach Ian Martin said. "Our goalkeeper, David Winner, was outstanding in the second half, but the rest of us, we just didn't play very well.
"I think the Tuesday night game, the travel, it seemed like it took some of our legs away and I was really hoping to get three goals tonight and max out (on points in the standings). But even if we don't play well we'll take the W and we got four points."
The win improved Indiana to 5-7-0 in A-League play with 23 points and fifth place in the Central Conference. The Patriots fell to 4-7-2 and 20 points.
McDermott scored from about eight yards out, lofting a feed from Peter Baah over El Paso keeper Cesar Mata and into the left corner of the net.
The Blast just missed on two breakaways later in the first half, as Godfrey Tenoff was stopped by Mata and a Jeff Dresser shot just went wide.
However, the Blast could not generate many more opportunities in the second half, with most of the play being at their end of the field. Winner, though, neutralized the Patriots with at least three saves on point-blank shots and was credited with seven saves for the night.
"Goalkeeping is a lot of times just being in the right place at the right time and fortunately tonight I was in the right place," Winner said. "There was a couple of times where (Patriots) got in behind and fortunately I was able to get over quickly and close down the angle and make myself big."
Along with Costa, the Blast were missing starting defenders Jeremy Aldrich (groin injury) and Mark Allen (hamstring). Martin said Costa should return for Sunday's home game against Atlanta and Allen is possible, but Aldrich is out indefinitely.
"It would have been nice to have everybody because I think we could have gotten maximum points," Martin said.
LINEUPS
El Paso - 22-Mata, 5-Griego, 10-Mercado, 11-Macias (17-Barajas-83rd), 13-Rowland, 16-McFarlane (4-Martinez, 69th), 18-Mora (7-Farias, 60th), 20-Cabrera (14-Pratt, 83rd), 27-Rodriguez, 31-Hernandez, 58-Lomeli.
Indiana - 31-Winner, 3-Knott, 4-Dresser, 6-Ottesen, 7-Demmin (19-Parrish, 46th), 8-Tenoff (11-Prosser, 85th), 9-Donaldson, 15-Less (12-Weiger, 71st), 16-Keenan, 17-Baah, 23-McDermott (5-Sweeney, 58th).
Scoring: I-McDermott (Baah), 12th.
Cautions: I-Ottesen (28th), EP-Cabrera (30th), EP-Rodriguez (37th).
Shots on goal: EP 16, I 10.
Saves: EP 3, I 7.
Fouls: EP 21, I 11.
Offsides: EP 4, I 0.
Corner kicks: EP 11, I 5.
