The Swope Park Rangers concluded a two-game preseason road trip with a 2-2 draw against Indiana University on Saturday as part of the Circle City Showcase at the Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield, Ind. English newcomer Tyler Blackwood scored both goals for SPR against the eight-time NCAA champions as the Rangers continue their preparations for start of the 2018 USL season on March 17.
After conceding a penalty kick in the fourth minute of an exhibition against Indy Eleven on Wednesday, the Rangers dug another early hole on Saturday. The Hoosiers, who went 18-1-6 in the fall with their lone loss coming in the College Cup final, took the lead in the fourth minute by capitalizing on a set piece taken by Trevor Swartz and headed home by 6'1 defender Timmy Mehl at the back post.
The Rangers would respond with a pair of scoring chances, first through Bryam Rebellon's curling cross from the right flank in the eighth minute and again on a through ball from Matheus Silva a dozen minutes later. Rebellon made his SPR debut on Saturday after being acquired from the Jacksonville Armada in the offseason.
SPR threatened twice more in the first half, both times through 19-year-old Sporting KC Academy product Felipe Hernandez. In the 30th minute, Hernandez connected on a cross from Tyler Blackwood and fired wide with a first-time effort. Then moments later, he delivered a corner that set up two shots for SPR to draw even. The first from Hadji Barry was blocked inside the box but the rebound fell to Camilo Benitez, whose attempt was kept out by the IU goalkeeper from close range.
At halftime, SPR inserted two trialists into the lineup with the introduction of Justin Bilyeu and Juan Pablo Monticelli. Bilyeu made an immediate impact, springing Blackwood for the game-tying goal as the 26-year-old striker cut inside from the left wing and buried the equalizer in the 51st minute.
Blackwood would go on to bag his brace and give SPR a 2-1 lead with 15 minutes to play. Rodrigo Saravia led the counter attack and earned the assist with a pinpoint pass to Blackwood, who made no mistake in finding the back of the net for a second time in the second half on Saturday.
The lead, however, was short-lived as the Hoosiers -- who earned a 1-0 victory over SPR last preseason with a late game-winning goal -- once again rallied to produce a positive result in their spring season with freshman forward Thomas Ward tallying the game's final goal in the 80th minute to leave the sides level at 2-2.
The Rangers will now return home for the club's final preseason scrimmage against UMKC at 2 p.m. CT on Saturday, March 10 at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Mo. The friendly is free and open to the general public to attend with in-game updates available by following @SwopeRangers on Twitter.
Swope Park Rangers vs. Indiana University
March 3, 2018 – Grand Park Sports Complex (Westfield, IN)
Swope Park Rangers 2, Indiana University 2
Scoring Summary:
IU - Timmy Mehl (Trevor Swartz) 4'
SPR -- Tyler Blackwood (Justin Bilyeu) 51'
SPR -- Tyler Blackwood (Rodrigo Saravia) 75'
IU - Thomas Ward (Justin Rennicks) 80'
Misconduct Summary:
SPR -- Camilo Benitez (caution) 70'
Swope Park Rangers: Christian Herrera; Bryam Rebellon (Will Little 30), Matt Lewis (Kyle McLagan 65), Graham Smith (Juan Pablo Monticelli 46), Parker Maher (Justin Bilyeu 46); Matheus Silva (Dakota Barnathan 76), Felipe Hernandez (Jaylen Brown 60), Rodrigo Saravia, Tyler Blackwood, Hadji Barry, Camilo Benitez
