Ottawa Fury FC News Release -- www.ottawafuryfc.com
Saturday, July 5, 2014
OTTAWA -- The Ottawa Fury FC clinched the W-League Central Conference's regular-season title, and the No.1 seed in the Central Conference playoffs, as they took a 3-0 victory against the rival Laval Comets on Saturday afternoon at the Algonquin College Soccer Complex. The victory mathematically ended K-W United's late-season bid for first. It marks the 10th divisional crown in the past 11 seasons after Laval ended their run at a 10th straight title last season.
The Fury opened the scoring just 84 seconds in as Bryanna McCarthy's cross from the left flank was flicked on by Kristy Moore to Teresa Rynier. Rynier closed in on Laval goalkeeper Genevieve Richard before slotting home calmly to stun the visitors mere moments after the opening kickoff.
Just five minutes later, Arin Gilliland was sprung in alone on a breakaway for Ottawa, but the play was negated by the assistant referee's flag which was raised for offside. It was a theme that would present itself often, with Ottawa's counterattack stifled by no less than 15 offside calls over the course of the afternoon.
The Fury continued to press, and were rewarded in the ninth minute. It was Rynier yet again who found the ball at her feet on the edge of the Laval penalty area, and it was Rynier yet again with a near-perfect finish as she drove a shot just inside the left post out of the reach of Richard to double Ottawa's lead.
Ottawa continued to press, with Christabel Oduro and Gilliland both enjoying multiple chances in the first half. Had it not been for Richard's exemplary goalkeeping for Laval, the Fury could have led by more than two at halftime as they dominated the opening frame.
The second half saw Laval come out of their shell offensively, as the Comets began to press Ottawa. Laval substitute Larissa Federowich saw her 53rd-minute chance miss high, as she skied a loose ball over the Fury net from just outside the Ottawa penalty area. The chances were beginning to come for the Comets, as they took over the midfield in the second half.
Laval continued to push relentlessly, with Ottawa's only respite coming on counters which were, by and large, nullified by offside calls. Ottawa dodged another bullet in the 65th minute, when a Laval cross bounced around inside the penalty area before rolling harmlessly wide.
Ottawa put the game to bed in the 79th minute, after withstanding substantial pressure from Laval. Kristy Moore made a slicing run through the heart of the pitch, before a tackle dispossessed her. Kayla Adamek tapped home the loose ball, and secured the three points, along with the conference regular-season title, for Ottawa.
"It was a tale of two halves, really," said Ottawa coach Dom Oliveri. "We were excellent, hungry to start the match and it showed; Teresa had two solid finishes, and we led deservingly at halftime. We weren't aggressive enough in the second half, and it showed as Laval pressured us. It's a process for us, and we'll need to keep it going. Continue to build from here, really."
The three points clinches the Central Conference regular season title for Ottawa, rendering tomorrow's date against Quebec meaningless standings-wise. As such, tomorrow's match against Quebec will serve as an opportunity for Dom Oliveri to showcase the talented depth of his squad. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET