Indiana Blaze


Indiana Blaze was a W-League women's soccer team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Blaze left the league after the completion of the 2001 season.

W-League history (1997–2001)

Indiana Blaze joined the W-League in 1997 and entered the newly formed W-2 in 1998 when the league split. Blaze was the sister team of the Indiana Blast who moved up to the A-League in 1999 after two seasons in the D3 Pro League. Blaze and Blast were known for the overlapping game times on adjacent fields at Kuntz Stadium.

1998

DateOpponentResultScore
August 1at North Texas HeatL0–1

2000

DateOpponentResultScore
May 19Kentucky FilliesW2–1
June 3at Cincinnati LadyhawksW1–0
June 4Cleveland EclipseW2–1
June 11Rockford DactylsW6–0
June 16at Kentucky FilliesD1–1
June 23Chicago CobrasL1–5
July 1at Rockford DactylsW3–0
July 2at Chicago CobrasL0–6
July 9Rockford DactylsW8–1
July 14at Cincinnati LadyhawksW4–2
July 16Cincinnati LadyhawksW3–2
July 22at Cleveland EclipseW3–1
August 4vs Charlotte Lady EaglesL1–2
August 6vs Oklahoma OutrageW2–1

2001

The Kentucky Fillies climbed closer to playoff contention with a 2–1 win over the Indiana Blaze in United Soccer League W-League action Friday night. Fillies forward Christal Mattingly scored the winning goal in the 81st minute.

Suspension of operations

Owner MorSports, Inc. suspended operations of their women's team, the Indiana Blaze, for the 2002 playing season. Owner and President of MorSports, Kim Morris said, "We're in this for the long haul. We want both of our teams to be around for many years to come and if that means suspending the women's team for a season to stabilize our operations, then that is what we should do."
They were the first high-profile women's sports team in the state, and the team's fan support increased each season, averaging nearly 2,000 fans per game in 2001.

Managers

Marc Behringer made quite a splash in his first year as head coach of the Indiana Blaze. The club was its first ever Midwest Division championship and W-League playoff berth.
After scoring 31 goals his senior year and 80 in his career at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, Behringer played for Indiana University from 1984–1988, captaining the NCAA Championship team as a senior. He played two seasons for the Indiana Blast as a defender, recording a goal and an assist in 17 games.
Behringer has served as the girls' head soccer coach at his alma mater since 1996. He was named "City Coach of the Year" by the Indianapolis Star three times.
Behringer was assisted by Sherwin Simon.

Year-by-year regular season record

All-time roster