SMITHFIELD, RI— Rhode Island FC (12-15-7, 51 pts.) secured a 3-2 victory versus Indy Eleven (14-9-11, 51 pts.) on Saturday night.

The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Michael A. Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana to a crowd of 4,000.

Friday night XI 💪 #RIFCvIND | #RIFC pic.twitter.com/5ch3OYGe0G

— x – Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) July 5, 2024

The team started their lineup in a 3-5-2 formation with goalkeeper Jackson Lee starting in the net with a backline of Frank Nodarse (left), Karifa Yao (center) and Grant Stoneman (right). The midfield consisted of Jojea Kwizera (left) Marc Ybarra (left center mid), Zachary Herivaux (central), Clay Holstad (right center mid) and Morris Duggan (right). The forward roles were manned by Noah Fuson (left) and JJ Williams (right).

Tonight's starters 🌟 pic.twitter.com/cUQwNUWfGP

— x – Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) July 5, 2024

The match kicked off with Indy Eleven starting in the center circle and quickly advancing the ball into RIFC’s defensive third.

In the 17th minute, drama ensued when a header struck the arm of Indy Eleven midfielder # Brem Soumaoro. A penalty kick was given to Rhode Island FC.

Entering the 19th minute, RIFC took the lead.

LADIES & GENTLEMEN JJ WILLIAMS 💥#WickedGoodGoal | @capellisport pic.twitter.com/yECjG7jwHe

— x – Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) November 3, 2024

Forward JJ Williams stepped up and buried the penalty kick into the top left corner for the 1-0 advantage.

Indy Eleven’s first major chance came in the 33rd minute when midfielder #8 Jack Blake’s freekick was saved by Koke Vegas.

Entering the 35th minute, Indy Eleven leveled the scoreline.

Put the ball on frame, good things happen @AodhanQuinn #USLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/wc488BrLRP

— Indy Eleven (@IndyEleven) November 3, 2024

Following a corner kick delivery, the ball was found with a half-volley by midfielder #14 Aodham Quinn to level the score 1-1.

Entering the 38th minute, RIFC regained the lead.

JJ WILLIAMS FINDS THE BACK OF THE NET!#WickedGoodGoal | @capellisport pic.twitter.com/7JkjuwLqnk

— x – Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) November 3, 2024

Midfielder Jojea Kwizera managed to find midfielder Noah Fuson, who then found forward JJ Williams for the shot, which initially deflected and fell back to the forward before he buried it into the middle right of the net to make it 2-1 to Rhode Island FC.

Indy Eleven’s next chance came in the 41st minute when midfielder #99 Maalique Foster’s effort went over the net.

In the 45+2 minute, Indy Eleven forward #42 Douglas Martinez was issued a yellow card.

After the initial 45+5 minutes, the match entered halftime with RIFC ahead 2-1.

Trailing at the half#USLPLayoffs | @moralesgroupinc pic.twitter.com/7qSrqOaiJV

— Indy Eleven (@IndyEleven) November 3, 2024

The second half began with Rhode Island FC quickly advancing the ball into Indy Eleven’s defensive third.

RIFC’s first effort came in the 50th minute when Zachary Herivaux’s effort was saved by goalkeeper #98 Hunter Sulte.

Entering the 52nd minute, RIFC added to their lead.

Did someone say HATTY??! 🎩#WickedGoodGoal | @capellisport pic.twitter.com/UBvXSbdhML

— x – Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) November 3, 2024

Midfielder Jojea Kwizera managed to find the head of forward JJ Williams for the hat-trick header to make it 3-1 to Rhode Island FC.

Just two minutes later, in the 54th minute, Indy Eleven head coach Sean McAuley made his first two changes of the match by replacing midfielder #32 Bren Soumaoro and forward #9 Augustine Williams for defender #33 Hayden White and forward #10 Romario Williams.

In the 58th minute, Indy Eleven midfielder #99 Maalique Foster was issued a yellow card.

In the 62nd minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his first change of the match by replacing forward JJ Williams with forward Albert Dikwa.

In the 68th minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his second change of the match by replacing midfielder Clay Holstad with midfielder Joe Brito.

Forward JJ Williams celebrates a goal during a USL Championship match.

In the 69th minute, Indy Eleven defender #41 James Musa was issued a yellow card.

In the 75th minute, Indy Eleven head coach Sean McAuley made his two more changes in the match by replacing defender #3 Aedan Stanley and defender #37 Logan Neidlinger with defender #15 Adrian Diz and forward #18 Elliot Collier.

Entering the 76th minute, Indy Eleven pulled one back.

It ain't over til it's over

IND 2 : 3 RI#USLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/sY1ikFEdGS

— Indy Eleven (@IndyEleven) November 3, 2024

Following the cross by midfielder #14 Aoden Quinn, the ball was found by the head of #42 Douglas Martinez to cut RIFC’s lead to 1 goal.

In the 81st minute, RIFC midfielder Zachary Herivaux was issued a yellow card.

In the 83rd minute, RIFC head coach Khano Smith made his final two changes of the match by replacing midfielders Zachary Herivaux and Jojea Kwizera with Stephen Turnbull and Kofi Twumasi.

In the 90+2 minute, Indy Eleven defender #30 Ben Ofeimu was issued a yellow card.

After the 90+10 minutes, the match concluded with RIFC holding on for the 3-2 victory.

Final from Carroll Stadium#USLPlayoffs | @SherwinWilliams pic.twitter.com/JYL0jp9iAR

— Indy Eleven (@IndyEleven) November 3, 2024

With the result, RIFC move on to the USL Championship semifinals.

RIFC Logo. Image Courtesy of Rhode Island FC.

Rhode Island FC (12-15-7, 51 pts.) are on the road to face side Louisville City FC (2-2-13 pts.) at Lynn Family Stadium in the USL Championship Eastern Conference semifinals. The match kicks off on Saturday, November 9th at 7:00p.m. EST on ESPN+.