In a game that featured high winds and bouts of rain, the Ottawa FURY PDL squad braved the elements to tie the Rhode Island Stingrays 1-1 this past Sunday at the Algonquin College Sports Complex. A grinding midfield affair with heavy tackles and numerous foul saw Will Beaugé come to the FURY’s rescue in the 55th when he managed to score after a scramble in the Rhode Island penalty area. The goal came a mere minute after the Stingrays had initially taken the lead, and gave Ottawa a deserved share of the points. The FURY’s next game is Wednesday, July 2 against the Vermont Voltage, kick-off 6:30 p.m. at the Algonquin College Sports Complex.The FURY started strongly with Florian Decamps picking up where he left off after his Saturday goal versus Long Island. Decamps did well to get his head to a 2nd-minute free-kick from Andrew Rigby, but unfortunately put the effort straight into the arms of the keeper. The FURY forward was at it again minutes later when he charged up the right hand side of the penalty area and fired a low shot that hit the base of the post with the keeper stranded. After the initial flurry, Rhode Island and Ottawa seemed content to sit back and trade attacks, the best chance once again coming through Decamps as he latched onto a Janson Blake long-ball, but placed his chip high and wide over an advancing keeper.
The FURY’s first-half scare came when Rhode Island put together a smooth three-pass combination in midfield that ended in a semi-breakaway for striker Tim Ritter. Ottawa’s back-line reacted well however and Jamie Ramm made a crucial interception right as the shot was about to be taken.
Controversy surrounded the end of the first-half as in the 42nd minute the speedy Will Beaugé outran a Rhode Island defender to control a through ball. As he made his way into the box with only the keeper to beat, Beaugé clashed feet with the final Stingrays defenceman who had run behind him. Players protested vigorously and Beaugé lay on the ground in pain but referee Joe Audi waved away strong appeals for a penalty.
The second-half began with thunder audible in the distance. With neither team creating any kind of substantial chances it came as a surprise in the 54th minute when the ever-dangerous Tim Ritter was sent through free on goal and placed a sublime chip over the outstretched arms of onrushing FURY keeper Michael Drozd. The goal was one of the few clear-cut chances for Rhode Island on the evening but they took full advantage to go up 1-0. Immediately on the restart however, the FURY took it to Rhode Island and after hitting the post, Will Beaugé got his goal by slotting the ball into the net after a wild scramble in the box.
The game temporarily came to life, and Paul Kihara nearly gave Ottawa the lead after he came within inches of flicking in an off-target Florian Decamps volley. The newly-introduced Tokelo Gugushe also tested the keeper with a great cut-in and shot after a run up the left side of the area.
Similar to the first half, the full-time whistle would blow surrounded by controversy. As the FURY poured on pressure in the final minutes, a corner was cleared by the Stingrays to about 20-yards from net where midfielder Steve Kowlessar fired a piledriver past the keeper at full stretch. A stunning goal and the jubilant celebrations were short-lived however as referee Audi blew the whistle to stop play – claiming an Ottawa foul had occurred before the shot.
Neither team threatened seriously after the disallowed goal and the final score would be Ottawa FURY 1, Rhode Island Stingrays 1.
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