Indy Eleven captures club’s second USL Academy League championship

BRADENTON, Fla. – The Boys in Blue are USL Academy League champions again. A pair of second-half goals by Jake Alb and Victor Aguilar, each assisted by Levi Dewey, saw Indy Eleven earn a 2-0 victory against AC Connecticut in the final of the 2024 USL Academy League Finals at IMG Academy to earn Indy its second title in the tournament’s four-year history.

Dewey played the creative role for Indy as his perfectly flighted free kick was headed home by Alb midway through the second half before Aguilar put the game to bed late on off a deft pass by Indy’s No. 10.

Following in the footsteps of Indy’s title-winning squad in 2021, the moment meant a lot to the players who had seen their predecessors as role models in getting to this moment.

“We have to give all thanks to them,” said Alb. “They started this, and they helped us along the way to know how we perform. They help us get in this rhythm that we do every tournament to get these wins. And a big thanks to our coaches. They always believe in us. They always know what we can be capable of, and it’s just a big thanks to them. We always come in here and we do what we do, we do what we need to do.”

The result could have been seen as harsh on Connecticut, which carried much of the game from the opening whistle. In the fifth minute, ACC produced the first good chance of the game after a foul 25 yards from goal in a central position saw Daniel Istambouli curl his powerful effort wide of the left post. They threatened again eight minutes later when Salvatore Zani drove into the right channel and fired a shot from the edge of the penalty area that was well handled by Indy goalkeeper Ryan Hunsucker.

Chances continued to come for Connecticut throughout the first half. The side was denied after Istambouli blocked an attempted clearance in the attacking third to which Sam McCann was the first to react, looping a finish over an advancing Hunsucker only for covering Indy defender Ephram Amones to head the ball to safety. McCann also went close soon after with a shot from the right side of the penalty area that flashed across the face of goal and wide of the left post, and then had a goal ruled out for offside as his glancing header found the net.

Indy proved resilient, however, and while it was only able to create one clear-cut opportunity in the opening half that was shot wide of the left post Fynn Lahrsen, the side’s back line and a sterling display by Hunsucker kept Indy in the game.

“Our defense stayed tight the entire game,” said Alb. “We let up some, but we’re lucky to have our goalkeeper back there. [Hunsucker] is a big part of the game, made some wonderful saves, but when it comes to our offense, we could always count on them to make their goals when we needed them, bringing those big chances.”

With Connecticut unable to take advantage of its chances in the first half, Indy grabbed the lead 12 minutes after the break. Off a free kick 15 yards inside the ACC half, Dewey floated a delivery to the top of the six-yard area where Alb flicked home a header into the bottom-left corner.

“I just know Jake’s an animal up in the air,” said Dewey. “Every time I put it in there, he’s flying around it no matter where. I saw the goalkeeper sitting more on the back post, so I thought maybe more front-side of the six. I put it there, and he goes up, flicks it front post, goal.”

After putting his side ahead, Alb came up with another key play at the other end, blocking away a chance for Connecticut’s Jack Ryan on an effort from the left side of the penalty area. That sparked a spell of pressure for Connecticut which had Indy scrambling momentarily to clear the danger before Ryan shot just over the bar a short time later.

Connecticut continued to push for an equalizer and with 13 minutes to go McCann found space between two defenders for a header that forced a good save from Hunsucker in the Indy goal. ACC threatened again eight minutes later when Trevor Pegg delivered a good cross from the left channel that found Peyton Mancini for a header that Hunsucker also claimed.

Indy put the game away with three minutes to go, however, as after winning possession in the attacking half, Dewey lifted a brilliant pass over the back line that picked out Aguilar for a looping volley that left the advancing goalkeeper stranded and the Boys in Blue within sight of the title.

After recovering from a serious knee injury suffered just over 12 months ago, as well as recovering in time for the Final after being knocked out of the side’s Quarterfinals clash on Friday, it capped an emotional week for Dewey that brought him and his teammates alongside the players they see as mentors.

“I’ve played with a bunch of people that won the first one, and they told us it was a different type of feeling than the other Academy Cups,” said Dewey. “The Final is a different beast, and I’m glad to walk away with it.”

Istambouli had one final chance for Connecticut from another set piece that dipped over the defensive wall but was comfortably saved by Hunsucker with a minute to play. That proved the final chance for either side as Indy closed out the result.

“We worked the entire tournament,” said Alb. “We’re close. We work as a family. One person always keeps everyone in line. Our captain, Ben [Zec], I got to give a lot of credit to him. He kept us hopeful the entire tournament. He kept us right the entire tournament. He helped us get ready for these games.

“But as a team, we work hard for each other, and we’re a family. When we’re on the field, we work for each other, and that’s how we got the job done.”

Scoring Summary
IND – Jake Alb (Levi Dewey) 47’
IND – Victor Aguilar (Levi Dewey) 67’