Ottawa Fury Soccer Club News Release
Saturday, July 13, 2013
OTTAWA, ON. - The Ottawa Fury finished the W-League regular season on a positive note with a 2-1 victory over the Toronto Lady Lynx in a preview of Wednesday's Central Conference Semifinal. Ottawa were powered by first half goals from Lisa-Marie Woods and Kinley McNicoll and some strong work by their back line to preserve the win. The Fury finish the 2013 regular season with a 7-3-2 record, good for second spot in the Central Conference.
The Ottawa Fury came out of the gate with a determined effort to win home field advantage for opening round of the W-League playoffs. Despite some early pressure, the Fury were unable to find an opener in the early going and were caught offside on four occasions in the first half.
Toronto would lose striker Ashley Lawrence in the 26th minute to injury which could prove to be a costly loss ahead of Wednesday's semifinal. In the 32nd minute, Lisa-Marie Woods drove a free-kick from just inside midfield. The free kick eluded everyone, including Hope Sabadash in goal, and skipped into the back of the net to put the Fury up 1-0. Three minutes later Kinley McNicoll put her speed and skill to good use stripping the Lady Lynx defense of the ball and eluding another before slotting home a magnificent goal to give Ottawa a two goal lead.
Emily Gielnik almost made it 3-0 as she looked to get in on the scoring, but saw her shot miss just wide. The two goal lead was short lived as Nichelle Prince got in behind the Fury defense and lobbed Jasmine Phillips to pull the Lady Lynx within one after 42 minutes. With halftime looming the Fury would lose Katie Brusell to injury after a diving header on a Fury corner. Brusell landed heavily on the ground and is likely to miss Wednesday semifinal with a head injury.
The Fury came out very aggressive for the opening five minutes of the second half, before it turned into a defensive battle. The second half proved a lot more physical with 18 fouls split between the two teams. It was apparent that both teams were trying to send a message ahead of their midweek playoff match that is sure to be intense as this rivalry never disappoints. The Fury will host the Toronto Lady Lynx in the Central Conference Semifinal on Wednesday night (July 17) at Algonquin College at 7 p.m. ET with the winner advancing to the Central Conference Championship in Laval on Saturday.