W-League Feature
Thursday, July 11, 2013
OTTAWA, Ont. - The Laval Comets used a stoppage-time goal by Amandine Pierre-Louis to claim a dramatic 2-1 victory Wednesday night, earning the Central Conference regular season title for the first time in their history. The Fury, the reigning W-League champions, had captured nine consecutive regular season division titles entering 2013.
Laval earns the right to host the Central Conference Championship (time and date TBA), with the winner earning a trip to the 2013 W-League Championship presented by Nike, July 26-28 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Flaorida. Ottawa will face either Toronto or K-W United in the Central Conference Play-In Match, with the winner advancing to face Laval for the conference title.
"This championship is the result of work done by the club since 2006," Laval CEO Philip Ciarlo said. "I need to acknowledge the work of all those involved in our growth, year after year. I thank all the staff in recent years and all the partners who have made this group a championship team.
"The group’s work this year proves that the Quebec soccer has all the ingredients to perform at a high level."
Laval had the brighter start and tested Fury keeper Britt Eckerstrom early and often inside the first 10 minutes. Ottawa found its legs as the half wore on but was unable unable to beat Genevieve Richard in the Laval goal. Kori Chapic would produced the best chance of the first half for Ottawa, but her header was stopped by Richard. Fittingly, the W-League's two best defensive teams headed into halftime knotted at 0-0.
Ottawa struck first in the second half as Karen Gurnon whipped a cross in for Lisa-Marie Woods, who crossed to the back post for Emily Gielnik. Gielnik headed it back across goal to halftime substitute Katie Brusell, who netted her first goal for the Fury to put the home side in front in the 54th minute.
Laval equalized thanks to a counter attack when Canadian International Christina Julien cut across the top of the 18-yard box and was tackled just inside the area by Chapic, resulting in a penalty. Defender Kelsey Wilson stepped up to the spot and shot down the middle with Eckerstrom going the wrong way, evening the score.
The Fury pressed to regain their lead while the Comets held firm. The Fury had several set pieces late in the game, and while they were unable to convert, a missed opportunity at one end led to a goal at the other as Pierre-Louis countered for Laval and broke in one on one with Eckerstrom in stoppage time, scoring to push the Comets clear atop the Central Conference.
Laval was 2-0-1 against Ottawa in 2013, and the Fury's potential road back to the W-League Championship will have to go through Laval. The Fury will face the Toronto Lady Lynx in their final game of the W-League regular season Saturday evening at Algonquin College.
Laval's final regular season game will be Saturday at 3 p.m. against K-W United at the Centre Sportif Bois-de-Boulogne (Desjardins Stadium). Details for the Central Conference Championship will be announced in the coming days.