The Streak Continues: FURY Win 9 In a Row

In a clash between two playoff bound teams the FURY (11-1-0) were looking to leap-frog Toronto into first place against the slumping Laval Cometes (7-4-1). Fury newcomer Lisa-Marie Woods proved her value all evening long. Despite a scoreless first half Woods was all over the pitch creating chance for the FURY. The first half ended with the FURY back on their heels struggling to find their game.

The second half saw an entirely different FURY squad that was aggressivley pushing forward and in the 57th minute Woods did what all newcomers want to do and that is score in her FURY debut with a great run forwarding cutting inside the back defender and beat the keeper with a lovely left-footed strike. The entire FURY team could feel the weight lifted off their back and seemed to settle into their truly effective possession game and were rewarded again with strong pressure attacking the Laval defense. On a Anna Caniglia corner she picked out an unmarked Danielle Johnson who jumped up into the fray notching her first goal of the season and giving the FURY a critical two goal lead.

With the lead FURY head coach Craig Smith began making his changes which proved effective as substitution Adrienne Ruhe-Lischke scored her second goal in as many games in the 84th minute capping off an impressive second half for the FURY.

The win places the FURY two points ahead of second place Toronto and with 4 points in their final two games the FURY can lock up a 5th consecutive division title. Should the FURY be victorious in the final two match and FC Indiana draws or losses their final match to Chicago the FURY would win the Central Conference.

FURY Haunt Phantoms

With each game the Ottawa FURY Men take another critical step forward in securing their first post-season birth. On Wednesday night the FURY (8-3-3) not only did so with a victory, but sent a message to the rest of the teams in the playoff picture that they are a true contender with a convincing 7-0 trouncing of the New Hampshire Phantoms (3-8-4).

The game started off with some strong pressure from both sides, but it looked as though the Phantoms were convinced to play a defense-first style of game. In the 23rd minute Florian DeCamp broke the deadlock with a highlight-reel goal controlling the ball at the top of the penalty area and showing his accuracy firing a top cornered shot over leaping keeper Tim Murray. The score remained 1-0 heading into the dressing room at half with the FURY owing a strong portion of the play.

The second half presented an entirely different display from the FURY as the came at New Hampshire in wave after wave of attack. The FURY struck in the 53rd minute as Paul Kihara's speed was no match for the Phantoms defense or sprawling keeper Tim Murray giving the FURY a 2-0 lead. Moments later will Beaugé notched his 7th goal of the season making it 3-0 and with flood gates open Martin Vickerton made in 4-0 on an outstanding left-footed free kick curling it low around the wall and inside the near post. With Vickerton's goal head coach Stephen O'Kane began to make changes, but it was one of his regulars Martin John who jumped up into the rush and redirecting a perfect through-ball home making it 5-0. The rout was on! In keeping with the defensive contributions Ladi Bushiri found himself forward pressuring the Phantom defender into a turn over which he calming attacked the goal and beat the keeper low with his 4th goal of the season. Matt Pachone put the exclamation point on the match with another highlight-reel goal flicking it over the defender going outside-in on him and beating the keep to the near post solidifying a convincing FURY lashing.

The win edges the FURY one point shy of Cape Cod for the division lead and into a tie with Newark for the wild card position. Both Cape Cod and Newark have on game remaining while the FURY have two as they visit both New Hampshire (Saturday) and close out the regular season in Vermont (Sunday). The FURY require 4 points to clinch a post-season birth. A FURY victory coupled with a Cape Cod or Newark loss guarantees a playoff position.

The FURY were well supported in this match with a crowd of over 550 boisterous fans that the FURY recognized in applaud at the conclusion of the match.

FURY Keeping Pace in Playoff Picture

A day after a scoreless draw with division-leading Cape Cod the FURY (7-3-3) travelled to Rhode Island (1-9-5) for a match against a Sting Rays side that sits at the bottom of the table. FURY head coach Stephen O'Kane wasted no time playing with his line-up as he did the previous weekend in the Cape Cod-Westchester double-header. The strategy proved ideal as the FURY exemplified their offensive depth with five difference goal scorers in their 5-0 victory.

The Fury would take the lead in the 15th minute when Matt Pecheone fed Roland Tiamuh with a lovely through ball. Tiamuh rounded the keeper and slotted home. Three minutes later a long clearance by Fury keeper Michael Drozd was headed on by Tiki Gugeshe into the path of Will Beauge who shot home to put the Fury two goals up.

The Stingrays Tim Ritter had an outstanding match and almost pulled a goal back in the 29th minute but was denied by the diving Drozd. Gugushe (twice) and Tiamuh would have chances to add to the Fury lead but the teams went into half time with the score Fury 2 Rhode Island 0.

After Ritter tested Drozd again in the 60th minute, the Fury would take charge of the game. After a fine break out of defence, Justin Dasah, burst past two defenders to lash the ball into the net in a highlight reel goal. Ten minutes later Paul Kihara added a 4th from close range when fed by Gugeshe and just before the final whistle, Florian DeCamps would score the 5th Fury goal on an assist by Paul Kihara.

The win puts the FURY a mere four points behind Cape Cod for the division lead and three points behind Newark for the Wild Card position. The FURY wrap up their home season with a match against New Hampshire on Wednesday.

Division Lead Squandered in Draw

In a top of the table clash with huge playoff implications for both sides the FURY (6-3-3) drew Cape Cod (8-3-4) for a second consecutive weekend missing an invaluable opportunity to gain a critical three points in their quest for both a playoff position, but more importantly the division title.

The FURY had their chances and midway through the second half it looked as though the FURY would have a golden opportunity to break the deadlock as Paul Kihara was brought down inside the penalty area. Unfortunately Ladi Bushiri was unable to convert the penalty kick and the came eventually ended in the draw.

Despite the draw the FURY were well represented as they had support from over 200 strong as the travelling FURY youth teams took in the game and showed their passion and support for their club.

The FURY travel to Rhode Island tomorrow and look to secure a critical three points and place further press on both Cape Cod and Newark in their push for the post-season.

FURY Tame Raging Rhinos and Clinch Playoff Spot

With playoff positioning on the line for both squads the Ottawa FURY (10-1-0) entertained a depleted Rochester (5-5-1) squad that was determined to keep the FURY off the score sheet all evening long. Despite playing without any substitutions they 5-manned defensive line of Raging Rhinos were able to keep the FURY attack at bay for the first half. Jennifer Hance (pictured above) broke the scoreless draw in the 55th minute after Zoe Avner and Emma Mattson played some trickery off a free kick as Mattson found a streaking Hance who gave the FURY that needed offensive punch.

The game continued on its defensive style, but the FURY remained in complete posession coming close several time, but unable to penetrate the 5-wide Rhinos defensive strategy. Adrienne Ruhe-Lischke, however, was able to break through the defensive on a perfect through-ball which she scooted past the keep and had all evening to easily place it into the empty goal.

The game was far different than the 7-0 drubbing that the FURY handed Rochester three weeks prior, but nevertheless continue their winning ways with their 8th consecutive victory as they continue to battle with Toronto for top spot in the Nothern Division.

FURY Telecast on ROGERS TV

The Ottawa FURY are pleased to announce that their three remaining home games will be aired on ROGERS TV. Last week (July 5&6) ROGERS covered all three matches including an entertaining 1-1 draw between the FURY Men & Cape Cod Crusaders. As our teams enter into the home-stretch of the season with playoffs births on the horizon we hope you enjoy the FURY Telecasts and we encourage you to come down to the pitch and help 'Pack the Pitch' for these final three matches.

Join hosts Graeme Ivory and Gord Smith as they take you inside the Ottawa Fury with in depth analysis and interviews. Cover begins with the FURY Women's game on Saturday July 12th (7pm - Algonquin Soccer Complex) and wraps up with a double-header on Wednesday July 16th with the FURY Men @ 6pm followed by the FURY Women at 8:30pm (both matches @ Algonquin Soccer Complex). Come out and show you FURY and support our teams on ROGERS TV.

The Ottawa Fury would also like to thank ROGERS TV for their coverage of the FURY matches and helping to highlight one of the best kept secrets in Ottawa - YOUR OTTAWA FURY!

FURY Edge Hamilton to Retain Division Lead

The Ottawa FURY Women matched up against one of the divisions most defensively-minded squads in the Hamilton Avalanche on Sunday night. The FURY edged Hamilton 2-1 on goals by Sarah Sample and Jodie Taylor. The close score of the match is very misleading as the FURY dominated possession even after the sending off of Courtney Wetzel in the 53rd minute and a 81st minute penalty kick goal from the Avalanche.

The game started slowly but it was the Fury who settled into their possession and combination passing game which starved Hamilton of the ball. There were few clear cut chances in the opening 20 minutes of play but the Fury held the balance of play with Jodie Taylor and Shay Powell prominent in FURY attacks. In the 22nd minute Ottawa took the lead following good work from Sarah Sample who slotted in a ball behind the Avalanche defence for Jodie Taylor to score with an impudent chip off the outside of her foot. Anna Caniglia had a free kick well saved by Amy Holt before the FURY increased their lead to two in the 29th minute. Another Ottawa passing movement freed up Taylor on the right and her cross was beautifully struck on the volley past Holt in the Avalanche goal. A great piece of play from start to finish by Ottawa.
The FURY dominated the rest of the first half racking up 13 shots on goal in the half to only 2 for Hamilton and dominating possession. Sample, Taylor and Powell fed off the promptings of Rachael Axon, Courtenay Wetzel and Jennifer Hance to continuously threaten the Hamilton defence.


The game completely changed complexion in the 53rd minute when Wetzel, who two minutes earlier had been booked for unsportsmanlike behaviour, became embroiled in a tussle with Chelsea Spencer. The referee, Suzanne Morisset, issued Wetzel a second yellow card and she was ejected from the game leaving the Fury to defend their 2-0 lead with 10 men for the rest of the game. The FURY readjusted their line up and the game resumed the same pattern of play with FURY continuing to hold possession. As the half progressed the Avalanche began to throw more players forward and cracks finally began to show in the FURY armour. In the 67th minute, Heather MacDougall almost grabbed a goal for the Avalanche with a shot that just went past the post. Two minutes later. Erin Reinke was forced to make a diving save from a free kick from Greco.


Growing in confidence, the Avalanche finally broke through in the 81st minute courtesy of a penalty call. Danielle Johnson was adjudged to have pushed Kelly Heaton in the box and Greco confidently steered the penalty kick home past Reinke. The Avalanche piled on the pressure forcing the FURY to defend deep in their end against a succession of long, direct flighted balls. Anna Caniglia handles the ball on the edge of the penalty box in the 88th minute. The ensuing free kick was partially blocked by Hance and ricocheted off a Hamilton player who is felled by the ball. The FURY dig deep and are happy to simply clear their lines whenever the opportunity arises. The final whistle came as a much welcomed relief for the FURY who retain their spot at the top of the Northern Division.


The win, the seventh in succession, takes the FURY record to 9-1-0 and 27 points on the season, two points ahead of the Toronto Lady Lynx (8-1-1) and six ahead of the Laval Cometes (7-2-0).