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.