INDIANAPOLIS - In a matchup of USSF Academy League division leaders, Carmel United edged CASL Elite 2-1 in a U16 contest at the Butler Bowl.

Carmel got an inspired performance from forward Harrison Petts, who had played 80 minutes for the U18 Men’s National Team that morning in New Jersey before flying to Indianapolis and being driven to the field just in time for the 6 p.m. kickoff. Petts helped create the team’s 2^nd goal with a low, hard shot that produce a rebound and a follow-up tally from Austin Oldham. His work in the box helped create a scramble that Lance Davis capitalized on for the first Carmel goal. Petts was active all day and showed no signs of fatigue despite the earlier match, a weeklong U18 camp, plus the flight.

“I’m exhausted, “Petts admitted. “I had a lot of water on the airplane but the flight was probably more than half of it. In the first half (vs. CASL) we did well. In the 2^nd half they came out hard and we struggled. We gave away a bad goal but sometimes that happens.”

Petts will likely be part of the U18 MNT squad that travels to Portugal for a tournament next month. He had been playing right back for Bob Jenkins’ team, but at the most recent camp featured at right midfield.

He was more of a striker for David Costa’s team this evening, and his powerful running and ball-striking gave Rusty Scarborough’s CASL side plenty to deal with, especially in the 1^st half. The team’s first goal came when Mitchell Weaver sent a ball in from the flank that was allowed to bounce in the area. After a bit of a scramble, Lance Davis hit a hard half-volley that struck a CASL defender and went in to make it 1-0. Oldham’s goal made it 2-0, which was the halftime score.

Scarborough moved Chipper Root back to midfield at the break and the switch nearly paid immediate dividends. Root played Eli Garner through with a great pass and the resulting 1v1 shot was saved by Carmel goalkeeper Andrew Moor. Root then played a give and go with Ross Tomaselli before firing just over.

Carmel right back James Vollmer, very good all day with his positioning and reading of the game, hit a free kick that Taylor Anthony deftly flicked on, forcing an alert save from CASL’s  Alex Long. Carmel’s AJ Corrado then nearly set up a goal with an audacious aerial sideheel pass to Zakk Rankin, but the resulting shot was deflected wide.

CASL scored in the final minute on a 50-yard free kick (no exaggeration) fromTaylor Wyatt. The shot seemingly mesmerized the keeper and slipped under the crossbar from midfield, but it was too late to be more than a consolation.

Carmel coach David Costa said his team played well, but not always smart.

“It was a big game for our team. We try not to give away soft goals and we were working on that this week. I think we kept a balance of attacking but not sending too many players forward,” he said. “We went forward more than we should of but we’ll break it down and get it right.”

Both teams are about halfway through their allotted schedule of matches in attempting to qualify for the Academy League national finals at the Home Depot Center in July.