Super-20 Finals Game Report
Thursday, July 19, 2012
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Mónica Mendes scored the game-winning goal for D.C. United as the Mid Atlantic club defeated Group B opponent the Ottawa Fury 3-2 on Thursday afternoon at the Super-20 League North American Finals at IMG Academy.
Sydney Braun-McLeod fed Brianna Boutziouvis for the first chance of the game for Ottawa in the sixth minute, but Boutziouvis could not find a clear shot on goal in the box. Three minutes later, D.C. United opened the scoring as Jessica Van Dyke managed to get behind the Fury defense and chipped the goalkeeper for the opening goal.
Lindsey Lane helped extend the lead in the 12th minute, as she chipped a ball in behind the defense yet again and Stephanie Hamilton finished.
The theme continued throughout the first half, as the Ottawa defense failed to adapt to D.C.'s attack. United had another shot deflected to the Fury goalkeeper and a shot cleared off the goal line before the end of the half. United also had an apparent goal called off for offside, but still went into the half with the two-goal lead.
Ottawa started well in the second half with a shot off the post and a header from a corner over the bar in the first four minutes, and they continued to dominate possession. Soon enough, the Fury were rewarded with the next goal as Courtney Killingsworth headed in from a corner in the 55th minute. United's goalkeeper got a hand to it, but it was not enough to keep the Fury off the board.
Ottawa drew level in the 67th minute as regular season top-scorer Kayla Adamek and Boutziouvis linked-up to move into the penalty area, and Adamek nutmegged the last defender and scored underneath the goalkeeper to make it 2-2.
Some back and forth play from each team gave the half a stressed feel, but United found what proved to be the game-winner as Mendes ended the wait for a deserving goal with a header from outside the penalty area from a corner.
"It was an important goal," Mendes said. "I'm very happy for me and my team."
Ottawa had a last-minute indirect free kick less than six yards away from goal, but the ensuing shot was blocked off the line by a 10-player wall.
"The best player tonight was D.C. United," Mendes said. "We're a strong team, a good team. I'm very happy we came away with the win."
United took the three points to sit atop Group B, while Ottawa has it all to do to make it out of the group.
FASA 0, TSF ACADEMY 0: TSF Academy and FASA drew to each gain a much-needed point. D.C. takes on FASA and TSF and Ottawa meet on Friday at noon in the second round of games.