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Indy Eleven players reaping benefits of win streak

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indy Eleven have a lot to celebrate these days — an undefeated season and a spring championship which marked the first-ever title for the franchise.

“It’s been a long journey to get here, but it’s good to be where we’re at,” player Brad Ring said.

“It was very, very special. I’m still excited about it,” player Don Smart said.

The team will receive its hardware on Saturday before the game against Minnesota.

“Certainly having a trophy presentation is great for the fans and the players to recognize the accomplishment,” Tim Hankinson said.

No secrets about it, getting that trophy on Saturday is going to be sweet for everyone on the Indy Eleven. But for three players in particular, this trophy has been a long time coming.

“Yeah, it was tough. To be honest I don’t think our team was that bad, we were just inexperienced and lost late in games,” Ring added.

Ring, Smart and Dylan Mares are the only three players on the Eleven’s current roster that have been with the team since the franchise began back in 2013.

“I don’t think many people get to say they started up with the club… you see how much it takes for people to put in,” Mares said.

Before clinching the spring title back in June, the team had never finished higher than fifth place in a season. And now that they’ve reached the top, they want to keep it that way.

“Actions speak louder than words,” Smart said.

So does winning championships.