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OTTAWA FURY & W LEAGUE:

FURY'S STUCCO STRIKES DOWN FREEDOM

20th May 2006

The Ottawa Fury opened their 2006 season before 1, 572 fans at the Maryland SoccerPlex when they took on the Washington Freedom in pre-season play. A late goal by new signing, Australian Stacy Stocco was enough to give the Fury a 1-0 victory in a game between two strong teams who looked in pre-season rather than regular season form.

The Fury missing regulars Rhian Wilkinson, Marie-Eve Nault and Allison Kelly, will have been well pleased to come through their first outing of the season with a win against strong opposition. The Freedom, currently 2-0 after wins in New York against the New York Magic and the Long Island Lady Riders, entered the home season with a powerful lineup that included World Cup Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Tiffany Roberts, 4 members of the U-21 US National Team, and 4 members of the 2003 WUSA Championship Freedom team.

The Freedom, who are Associate Members of the W-League for the 2006 season, had the better of the chances in a game between two skilful and talented teams who were both struggling with early season jitters. The Freedom missed a number of good chances throughout the game. Perhaps the best opportunity came when Australian international player Kelly Golebiowski broke clear of the Fury defence, but shot wide.

The Fury started three of their summer signings, French international Zoe Avner, striker Carrie Kveton and midfielder Stacy Stocco. The Fury threatened the Freedom goal in isolated, but well-worked attacks with McConville forcing a fine save from the Freedom keeper in the late stages. Just when a 0-0 draw looked inevitable, in the 85th minute, the Freedom failed to take advantage of several opportunities to clear their penalty area. The ball eventually fell to Stacy Stocco who slotted the ball past the keeper from 10 yards.

The Fury complete their pre-season warm-up games with a Sunday visit to their arch-rivals and North American champions, the New Jersey Wildcats.

The Fury open their 2006 W-League campaign with two home games on the last weekend of May. On Saturday, May 27th, the Fury host the expansion Hamilton Avalanche at Carleton University’s Keith Harris Stadium at 6:00 p.m. while on Sunday May 28th, the Sudbury Canadians will be in town for a 3:30 PM kick off.