By Zola Elder
INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, July 22, 2023) – Alia Martin scored in the 99th minute to earn a 2-1 victory for Indy Eleven and secure the 2023 USL W League Championship. For her efforts, Martin was named the USL W League Final MVP.
The game was played in front of record-setting fans as the USL W League Final drew a crowd of 5,419 to set the record for the most attended women’s soccer match in Indiana History.
Martin’s match-winning goal, which was her second in consecutive games after scoring the late go-ahead goal in the 3-2 National Semifinal win over San Francisco, was her second of the season. The play started with Katie Soderstrom, who secured the corner kick for Indy. Grace Bahr’s service found Annika Creel who redirected the ball back into the center of the 18. Martin made the most of her second chance and connected on a bicycle over the top of the out-stretched Courage keeper.
After a scoreless first half, it was Indy Eleven that broke the stalemate starting with Addie Chester on the right flank. Chester played a short ball in to Maddy Williams who laid it off for a one-two ball to Greta Kraszula. Kraszula’s ball back into the box found Williams who played the ball across the goal and into the lower right corner. It was her ninth goal of the season, which ties the team high alongside Sam Dewey.
NC Cougar evened the score in the 75th minute when Mia Oliaro found Lauren Martinho off a cross.
The Eleven finish the 2023 season 12-1-1.
Complete USL W Bracket & Info
USL W League – National Final
Indy Eleven 2:1 NC Courage 23
Saturday, July 22, 2023 – 2:00 PM
Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, Ind.
Scoring Summary
IND – Maddy Williams (Greta Kraszula) 64’
NCC – Lauren Martinho (Mia Oliaro) 75’
IND – Alia Martin (Annika Creel) 99’
Discipline Summary
NCC – Mackenzie Geigle (caution) 47’
IND – Rhonda Ojongmboh (caution) 120+’
Indy Eleven lineup: Nona Reason, Jenna Chatterton (Susie Soderstrom 81’), Alia Martin, Grace Bahr (Rhonda Ojongmboh 118’), Annika Creel, Greta Kraszula (Rafferty Kugler 67’), Sam Dewey (Maisie Whitsett 67’), Ella Rogers, Addie Chester (Lizzie Sexton 77’), Maddy Williams (Emma Johnson 67’), Katie Soderstrom
IND substitutes: Emily Edwards
COURTESY INDY ELEVEN COMMUNICATIONS
