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OTTAWA FURY & W LEAGUE:

OTTAWA FURY KNOCK COMETS OUT OF ORBIT

29th June 2006

After the shock loss to Hamilton Avalanche last week, the Fury returned to winning ways against Quebec's Laval Comets. With the return of Diana Matheson, Robyn Gayle and Rhian Wilkinson from National Team duties, the Fury did enough to move to the top of the Northern Division standings with a 2 - 1 victory. The win sets up a top of the table clash with the Toronto Lynx (5-0-1) on Saturday July 1st, 2006 at Carleton University’s Keith Harris Stadium; Kick off 6:00 PM.

However, it was a hard fought victory, one that the Fury deserved, but one they almost didn't get. Even though the Fury maintained control of the ball for long stretches of time, and even though the Fury dominated play, they just could not find any rhythm up front.

The Fury's first goal came early in the game at 17 minutes, after the Fury put the Comets defence under sustained pressure. Rhian Wilkinson received a ball in the left hand corner of the penalty area, turned and then slotted the ball through to Diana Matheson who pushed it home past Marie-Pierre Bilodeau. The score stayed 1 - 0 for the rest of the half, with the Fury coming close a few times, but not converting their chances.

In the second half, the Fury came out strong and might have added another goal when Rhian Wilkinson burst through the defensive line and shot, only to have the Laval goal keeper make a good, last second reflex stop. Play soon settled down again, and the Fury returned to keeping possession without ever looking very dangerous.

The Fury had a shock in the 50th minute when the Laval Comets led by Amy Walsh and Caroline Vanderpool renewed their efforts and forced a free kick about 30 metres out. The shot hit Amy Walsh on the head at the back post, and she put the ball back across the face of goal where a mad scramble ended with a goal as Amie Legault slotted the ball past Leisha Alcia in the Fury nets. This equalizing score put a bit of a fire under the Fury.

The Fury knew from the start that Laval was never going to be an easy walk over, and now it seemed to dawn on them that it would take work and penetrating runs, not possession, to beat them. The Fury managed to put together a few good sequences which resulted in shots on goal, but still could not score. In the 65th minute, Parker had a shot cleared off the line, but at the other end a defensive mistake almost let in Eloise Vandal.

The winning goal came n the 73rd minute from a great ball over the top by Diana Matheson that Kelly Parker bravely chased through the defence. It was a courageous effort as she had a defender clinging to her, as well as the onrushing goalie. The three of them all collided, but not before Parker had managed to head the ball over the keeper. The ball had a long way to roll into the net, and as it crossed the line it was barely trickling along. It was the winning goal for the Fury.

The rest of the game was spent with the Fury trying to hang on to their lead. After the game, Rhian commented, " The Laval team played really well and gave us a great game. On a personal note for me, it was good to get to play against so many of my friends, and to see how much the team has come together and improved since I was training with them. It is going to be quite a game on the return leg in Ottawa, I am looking forward to it."

The win over Laval took the Fury to the top of the Northern Division table, two points ahead of the Lynx who have a game in hand. On Saturday, the Fury (6-1-0) welcome the unbeaten Toronto Lady Lynx (5-0-1) to Keith Harris Stadium in a top of the table clash which may go a long way to determining the Northern Division title. The only blemish on the Lynx record this season is a 0-0 tie with the Laval Comets. In 6 games, the Lynx are yet to concede a goal and have scored 22. Sylvia Forbes (Purdue University) and Deana Everett have scored 16 of the 22 goals between them. The Lynx have an exciting young side bolstered by current U20 internationals Amanda Cicchini and Loredana Riverso and recent signing Tanya Dennis. Last season the Fury completed the double over Toronto winning 5-0 in Ottawa and 3-1 in Toronto.

The teams met again in the Eastern Conference final in Ottawa with the Fury again coming out on top.

On Tuesday next, July 4th, the Fury Women will play a very special exhibition game against the visiting Everton Ladies from England. Note the special KO time of 6:30 PM. Everton were runners-up in the 2005-6 FA Women’s Premier League in England. All games are at Keith Harris Stadium at Carleton University.