Friday, May 31, 2013
OTTAWA, Ontario -- The Ottawa Fury moved into top spot in the PDL Northeast Division thanks to a 3-0 victory against CFC Azul on Friday night at Algonquin College. Yannis Becker scored 25 minutes inside each half and Carl Haworth netted his third of the season with a spectacular free kick to improve the Fury to 2-0-0 on the young season. Nils Carlson recorded the shutout which saw the keeper make a key save early in the second half when Ottawa was leading 1-0. Algonquin College again proves a fortress for the Fury who are a daunting 31-2-9 lifetime at the Sports Complex.
It was a close affair to start between the Azul and Fury who split their home-and-home series last season with the home team coming out on top. Ottawa would produce the first few chances of the game as Haworth and Becker found opportunities in the early going. The pair would combine for the opening goal as Haworth’s shot was turned aside by Drew Esposito in the Azul goal, but Becker controlled the rebound and roofed it top corner for his second in as many games.
After the goal the two sides exchanged movement in the midfield, but neither was able to produce a scoring chance. With halftime looming the Fury found some extra energy with several good chances off some great ball movement. Shaun Foster had the best chance in stoppage time, but saw his header hit the outside of the goal. Ottawa carried its 1-0 lead into halftime.
The Fury started the better of the two sides in the second half with Becker, Haworth and Loic Miliani all threatening the Azul defenders. CFC responded with some chances off their own catching the Fury back line shorthanded forcing Carlson to make a remarkable save and have some luck on his side as the rebound was kept out by the goalpost.
That would be the last chance on goal for a while as Ottawa returned to their possession play and in the 70th minute Jacob Barron made a slick play to find Becker, who blasted home his second of the night and third of the season to give the home side a two-goal advantage.
Five minutes later the Fury struck again, this time it was Haworth’s turn. The veteran marksman curled the free kick around the wall into the top corner and there was little Esposito could do to stop it as the Fury scored three goals for the second straight game. In the play immediately following the goal Justin Brewer was dismayed when a penalty was not award and following an intense conversation he was shown a straight red forcing the Azul to finish with 10-men.
Ottawa would have further chances as the half wore on with substitute Will Beauge coming close on three separate occasions as the Fury’s all-time leading scorer continues to eye his 100th career point in the PDL. Ottawa would carry the 3-0 lead to the final whistle to overtake the Real Boston Rams and Westerrn Mass Pioneers to take sole possession of first place in the PDL Northeast Division.
The Fury will tackle the Western Mass Pioneers on Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Algonquin College. Prior to kickoff the Fury will honor their all-time leading scorer Beauge in a special pre-game ceremony.