FC Indiana Goes Down Memory Lane to Recap 2009 Season

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com-INDIANAPOLIS, IN,August 23, 2009 — After losing nine 2008 starters to Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) draft, FC Indiana coaching staff was faced with a task of rebuilding the team for 2009.
Falling short of its stated objective of winning the league title, the club added another division championship trophy to their glittering trophy room. Only two losses, one to eventual Women’s Professional Soccer National Champions Sky Blue FC (2-1) and one to the Ottawa Fury (2-1), prevented the Indianapolis club from a potential perfect season.

The Lionesses took on the future WPS champions Sky Blue in April and it was a cruel ending to a game which appeared to be another home win for FC Indiana. The match will be remembered as Sky Blue FC scored two goals in injury time to win 2–1, after being outplayed and having trailed for most of the match. FC Indiana looked assured defensively and dangerous on the counter-attack, Laura Del Rio repeatedly tested the Sky Blue FC back four with a number of clever runs.
Sky Blue’s Natasha Kai, Kacey White, Heather O’Reilly and Rosana found little time and space against the back four of FC Indiana.

FC Indiana went into May comprehensively outplaying and beating WPS strugglers Chicago Red Stars 3-2, the final score not reflecting FC Indiana’s passing and possession supremacy. FC Indiana’s Laura Del Rio scored two goals to complete domination against the WPS opponents.

In W-League competition, in 14 matches, goalkeeper Shannon Lynn allowed only four goals against, three of those being own goals. In conference championship game against Ottawa, after taking a 1-0 lead, two cruel strokes of luck shoved FC Indiana in the direction of the exit. Ottawa had zero shots on goal, FC Indiana scored three goals, unfortunately that included two own goals.
The Lionesses ended the season as the highest scoring team in the league, 65-4.
Laura Del Rio, captain Fatima Leyva and goalkeeper Shannon Lynn were selected to the United Soccer League’s (USL) W-League All Conference team, representing the Midwest Conference.
Del Rio, the crafty Spain international, led the league with eighteen goals and four assists on the season while Lynn was the league’s best goalkeeper.

2009 Year-in-Review
Final Record: 12-3-2 (Overall), 11-1-2 (W-League), 1-1 (WPS), 0-1 (International).
Goals For/Against: 72-10.
All Central Conference: Laura Del Rio (F), Fatima Leyva (M), Shannon Lynn (GK).

5-season Record: 82-9-8
5-season Goals: 421-46

About FC Indiana
FC Indiana is one of the most successful women’s professional soccer organizations in the world.
While winning four national championships in five years, Women’s Premier League Champions (2005 and 2007) and Women’s Open Cup (2005 and 2008), FC Indiana developed or helped develop 41 professional players, 14 World Cup and Olympic participants, 21 national team players!
The club has hosted national teams from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Trinidad & Tobago, Mexico and Canada.
The women’s team is a member of W-League and plays home matches at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis.
For more information, visitwww.fcindiana.com

About the W-League
In operation since 1995, the W-League features 36 teams for the 2009 season ranging all over the United States and Canada. The league is recognized throughout the world for providing elite competition for women's players while providing affordable family entertainment.
For more information, visitwleague.uslsoccer.com 

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