“Our application for a USL franchise, at this point in time, ensures that soccer specific elements will be incorporated into the stadium design to optimize the experience for soccer fans and players,” said Jeff Hunt, an OSEG partner. “And I can tell you, the fan experience for USL-1 soccer is top-notch-the caliber of play, the quality of the stadia and the involvement of the players in community activities is second to none. It’s a tremendous environment for soccer purists, casual fans and families seeking an affordable, fun outing.”

The USL First Division is the league’s highest level of professional soccer in the US, Canada, and the Caribbean. The 2009 campaign featured an 11-team format playing 30 regular season matches, 15 home and 15 away. The league schedule is augmented by participation in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, CONCACAF Champions League, and various domestic and international exhibitions. In 2009, the Tampa Bay Rowdies and FC New York were respectively named the 12th and 13th teams of the USL First Division. The USL’s lower-level divisions for elite player development include the Premier Development League (U23 men’s North American amateur) and the W-League (women’s North American amateur), which are already established in Ottawa as part of the Ottawa Fury organization.

“For the thousands of local soccer fans, the dream of top class professional soccer in Ottawa is a step closer to reality today,” said John Pugh, owner and CEO of the Ottawa Fury. “Ottawa has clearly demonstrated its appetite for the ‘beautiful game’ as a participation sport. Now, everyone who enjoyed the passion and excitement of the 2007 FIFA U20 World Cup games at Lansdowne will have their own team, Ottawa’s team, to cheer for. The club will foster the growth of the game in our region, provide opportunities for players who aspire to play at an elite level and be a significant community asset”

Tomorrow (September 2), Ottawa’s City Council will review the Lansdowne proposal, which has been negotiated between City Staff and OSEG over the last four-months. Included in the proposal is a plan to renovate and rebuild Frank Clair stadium to host professional soccer and professional (CFL) football. OSEG has already secured a conditional CFL franchise, subject to a stadium agreement with the City.

“From a business standpoint, professional soccer is a tremendous asset for the stadium,” said Hunt. “We’ll have as many as 20 dates for soccer, 10 for CFL football and, potentially, dates for Carleton Ravens and Ottawa U Gee Gee’s football, along with outdoor stadium concerts. It’ll be a busy place and a tremendous environment in which our community can gather.”

W-League 2009 All-League Team
Goalkeeper of the Year – Michelle Betos (Atlanta Silverbacks)
In her first season in the league, Betos helped lead the Silverbacks to the regular season division title with a 10-1-1 record, posting a mark of 9-1-1 herself. She finished second in the league in goals against average at 0.188 and in shutouts with nine. She also was tied for second in wins.

Defender – Ashleigh Gunning (Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues)
Having previously played for Cocoa and Charlotte, Gunning provided a veteran presence for the upstart squad as they went on to post an unbeaten 12-0-2 regular season record and capture the league’s regular season title. Hudson Valley allowed just nine goals in 14 games with Gunning seeing action in 13. She also provided two goals and two assists in the attack.

Defender – Ria Percival (Ottawa Fury)
After a brief taste of W-League action with FC Indiana last year, Percival moved north of the border to join the Fury and help guide the club to an 11-1-2 record with only nine goals allowed. She appeared in all 14 games, playing every minute and providing five assists on the year.

Defender – Brittany Taylor (Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues)
In her debut season in the league, she helped guide the team to an unbeaten 12-0-2 season and capture the league’s regular season title. In the nine games she played, Taylor was a threat in the attack, coming forward for three goals on the season.

Midfielder – Gemma Davidson (Chicago Red Eleven)
After spending 2008 with New York, Davidson helped lead the Red Eleven to a 10-1-1 record on the season, finishing just one point back of unbeaten FC Indiana in the division race. She played in eight games on the year, tallying six goals and two assists.

Midfielder – Michelle French (Seattle Sounders)
A five-time All-Conference selection, French is still one of the top players in the west and had the Sounders on the verge of the postseason before their final winless three-game trip to California. She played in all 12 games and provided four goals and an assist.

Midfielder – Rosa Tantillo (Buffalo Flash)
Playing in a tough division, the expansion Flash finished second with a record of 9-2-3 on the year. Helping lead the way was Tantillo, a member of last year’s champion Pali Blues. She saw action in all 14 games and provided eight goals and two assists in the campaign.

Midfielder – Nikki Washington (Pali Blues)
With many of its top players gone from the 2008 championship side for Women’s Professional Soccer, Washington stepped in and helped lead the Blues to another unbeaten season at 9-0-3 and a second straight conference title. She tallied five goals and two assists in nine games on the campaign.

Forward – Laura Del Rio (FC Indiana Lionesses)
The 2008 league assist leader captured the scoring titles she narrowly missed out on last year by finishing the campaign with 18 goals and four assists. She helped lead the side to the league’s best offensive output of 63 goals and a 10-0-2 record, coming up just shy of the regular season title.

Forward – Amber Hearn (Ottawa Fury)
With 13 goals and two assists on the year, Hearn helped lead the Fury to an 11-1-2 record and the division title. She was tied for fourth in the league in goals and sixth in points.

Forward – Angelika Johansson (Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues)
Johansson was a key component in the club’s attack en route to winning the regular season title with a record of 12-0-2 and 40 goals. The striker found the back of net 14 times and provided eight assists, finishing second in the league in points, tied for second in goals and tied for third in assists.

W-League 2009 Individual Honors
In addition to the previously announced statistical award winners and the Goalkeeper of the Year, four other top individual honors are still to be announced. The winners of the awards will be announced Wednesday, August 5 from the following finalists in each category:

Defender of the Year Finalists
The three All-League selections Gunning, Percival and Taylor are the finalists for the honor.

U19 Player of the Year Finalists
The finalists for the award are Sarah Chapman (Tampa Bay), Chante Sandiford (Washington) and Fortuna Velaj (Connecticut).

Coach of the Year Finalists
The finalists for the award are Tony Anglin (Chicago), Fabien Cottin (Quebec City), George Fotopoulos (Tampa Bay) and Jesse Kolmel (Hudson Valley).

Most Valuable Player Finalists
The finalists for the award are Laura Del Rio (FC Indiana), Amber Hearn (Ottawa) and Angelika Johansson (Hudson Valley).

Sandiford sent the Freedom onto the final (Shane Canfield)

A goal post and a Chante Sandiford save denied the Fury a third trip to the W-League Championship game. The 2007 champion Freedom will move on to the Championship final, where they will face the reigning W-League Champions Pali Blues on Friday, August 7 in Boyds, Maryland.

Ottawa started the game off with great pace and tremendous control. Hearn, Romagnuolo and Moorwood all had chances inside the first fifteen minutes, but were unable to convert.

Jasmine Phillips, who was stellar in the Fury goal, robbed Brittany Tegeler on a breakaway and stymied here again moments later after the Freedom jumped on a Fury turnover. H

ayley Moorwood and Michelle Evans both had chances on goal, but were unable to give the Fury that much sought after first goal. The first half ended scoreless with the Fury owning most of the possession and chances.

Washington started off the second half with several chances and strong pressure, but Jasmine Phillips was there to steady the ship.

Emma Kete broke through in the 55th minute on a breakaway, but was denied by Freedom keeper Sandiford.

Both teams exchanged chances for a period of ten minutes, but both keeper stood tall. Courtney Wetzel made a great individual effort and Sandiford collapsed on the rebound ahead of an out-reached Emma Kete in the 80th minute.

Danielle Johnson recorded the last dangerous chance before the end of time that saw her header deflect just wide off the Michelle Evans corner.

As the two teams headed into extra time it was the Fury who had the best of the chances in the first stanza of extra time as both Evans and Pacheco threatened.

In the second extra time Phillips had to be sharp once again denying Germain in close and stopping a Freedom free kick with less than five minutes remaining.

Amber Hearn fired over the bar from the top of the 18-yard box with time winding down and penalty kicks on the horizon.

The Fury would shoot first in the penalty shootout with Hayley Moorwood rifling home a shot into the top right corner putting the Fury ahead. Sandra Matute pulled the Freedom even giving way to Ria Percival, the Fury’s second shooter. Percival beat Sandiford low to the left, but was denied by the post.

Kika Toulouse put the Freedom ahead 2-1 with a shot into the top corner. Courtney looked to pull the Fury even, but was robbed by Sandiford with a diving save.

Caitlin Miskel put the Freedom in the drivers seat scoring to make it 3-1 with the Fury needing to score. Chante Sandiford onced again proved to be the difference denying Michelle Evans, sending the Freedom back to the W-League Finals since they won it all in 2007 after, oddly enough, defeating the Fury.

The Fury Women’s 10th Anniversary season draws to a close with another successful year that saw them win a sixth consecutive division title and the Central Conference title, but the elusive W-League title will have to be won another day.

The Washington will look to win their second W-League title since winning in 2007, but will have to defeat the defending W-League Champions Pali Blues who have yet to lose in the W-League since joining last season.

Game Summary

NEWBURGH, NY — The Pali Blues Soccer Club showed why they are the defending USL W-League champions tonight at Newburgh Free Academy, defeating the Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues by a tally of 4-0.

With a well-balanced effort in every phase of the game, the Blues now advance to their second straight league championship game next weekend.

Mora tallied and set up two others in semifinal

“It took us a while to get going at the beginning of the year, but all that matters is how you end the season. It’s humbling to be around this group of girls, and I’m just happy to see them achieving this kind of success,” Blues head coach Charlie Naimo commented after the victory, sending him to his fourth W-League championship game as a coach and second straight since moving to the West Coast.

Rain poured down on the Hudson Valley for much of the day, but calm weather conditions fought their way into Newburgh to greet these two clubs with a perfect environment for playoff soccer by the time of kickoff.

Blues goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris was tested early when the Quickstrike attack was able to create some opportunities in the opening minutes of this contest, but she and her defense did well to weather that early storm.

The Blues regrouped after that early push by Hudson Valley, and they very quickly engaged a shift in the offensive momentum. They began to get off some quality shots toward their target, and their aggressive play paid dividends in the 14th minute of the match. It was then that midfielder Christen Press collected the ball on the right flank and sent a hard strike over to Jodie Taylor in the center of the field. Taylor then weaved her way through traffic until seeing her opening from more than 30 yards out, and she then launched a bomb past the outstretched arms of Quickstrike netminder Ashley Thompson to give the defending W-League champions a 1-0 advantage.

The Blues continued to display their high level of class throughout the remainder of the opening half, and Mexican National Team forward Iris Mora was able to stretch the gap to 2-0 in the 45th minute of the game. The All-Western Conference selection received a feed from Press on the right wing and capitalized on the room she was afforded by the Hudson Valley defense. From 25 yards out, she struck a powerful volley into the back of the net to give her team a two goal lead going into intermission.

The Blues kept their foot on the throttle when the second half of action got started, and Mora made the most of being given too much space once again in the 50th minute. Making a run on the right wing, she one-touched a cross to the middle of the field, and midfielder Kelley O’Hara fought off a pair of Quickstrike defenders to punch in the third Blues goal of the evening.

Hudson Valley continued to battle, and forward Angelika Johansson nearly got Quickstrike on the board when she created a one-vs-one chance for herself in the 59th minute. As soon as she saw Johansson break free, Harris came out from her post to make a spectacular diving save to stop the run and keep the slate clean.

Rewarding their goalkeeper for her efforts, the Blues made it 4-0 in the 65th minute when Mora set up a Lauren Cheney tally. From that point forward, the Blues defense buckled down to complete the shutout.

“We saw when they came out that they were motivated,” Mora said after the game. “We knew we had to stay composed and defend on both ends of the field. We played like a team and a unit out there, and I’m just so proud of all my teammates.”

The win extends the Blues unbeaten streak to 28 games and advances them to their second title appearance in as many years of existence. The Blues now await the winner of a Saturday night pairing between the Ottawa Fury and Washington Freedom.

“It was a very good team efforts,” said an extremely proud Fury coach Craig Smith. “I had a good feeling about this game – the girls were focused, played their game and we did what we wanted to do.”

Ottawa found themselves trailing early for the second straight game when Nikki Lyons gave the reigning Central Conference Champions a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute.

Just like they did against Chicago Friday night, the Fury responded a short time later when Amber Hearn sprung free Michelle Evans, who crossed for Katie Bethke only to have FC Indiana’s Corrie Moore redirect the cross into her own goal, pulling the Fury even in the 14th minute.

Possession Was the key to the Fury’s game, which gave them control of most of the first half to end all square at 1-1.

The Fury continued to control play to start the second half and almost pulled into the lead in the 61st minute when Jennifer Hance deflected a Michelle Evans free kick painfully wide of the far post.

Four minutes later on an almost identical play Evans picked out Jennifer Hance again on a free kick, which was touched by Hance and deflected into the FC Indiana goal off a defender for yet another own goal.

FC Indiana had allowed just two goals during the regular season, but now trailed after two own goals.

Carrying a 2-1 lead late into the game, it almost seemed like deja-vu as the Fury led by the same scoreline in last year’s Conference Final before FC Indiana pulled even and won in extra time.

This year, however luck was on the Fury side late in the game as a shot struck both the crossbar and post and stayed out preserving the 2-1 victory a the Central Conference crown for the Fury.

The Fury now advance to the W-League Semifinal where they will face a familiar foe in the Washington Freedom. Game date, time and location to be announced Monday.

LAFAYETTE, IN — The Ottawa Fury Women put themselves one step closer to that elusive W-League title with a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Red Eleven in the Conference Semifinals.

Two goals, assist for Hearn in win

The Fury found themselves down 1-0 early, but Michelle Evans and Amber Hearn got them back on track before halftime and Ottawa added two more in the second half before Chicago tallied late sealing a 4-2 win and a place in Sunday’s Conference Final against the 2008 league finalist FC Indiana Lionesses, who blanked the Buffalo Flash 3-0 later in the evening.

Ottawa returned to Indiana for a second straight year, but found themselves trailing after 11 minutes when Gemma Davison notched her seventh of the season putting the Fury on notice early.

Michelle Evans responded in the 20th minute direct from a free kick that pulled Ottawa even with her seventh of the season.

Building on the momentum from the tying goal the Fury continued to press and were rewarded in the 31st minute when Amber Hearn tallied from close range putting the Fury ahead going into halftime.

The second half opened with both teams battling to set the tone. With scoring chances sparse Amber Hearn blasted home her second of the night from 35 yards out giving the Fury a two-goal cushion after 76 minutes.

Six minutes later Hearn continued her dominance of the Chicago defence this time passing to Tina Romagnuolo, who hammered home the cross for a 4-1 Fury lead.

A Fanta Cooper cross in the 90th minute deceived Fury keeper Jasmine Phillips at the far post cutting the lead to 4-2, but that was all the damage that Chicago would be able to muster against the Fury, who are hoping that the third time is the charm as they look to win the conference title for the first time in three years.

Quebec City Amirals Opening Playoff Week
ORCHARD PARK, NY — Buffalo Flash (10-2-3) beat Quebec City Amiral (9-5-1) 5-0 in a second versus third divisional playoff match at the first round stage of the USL W-League postseason to move onto the conference tournament.

Ruiz guided Flash onto next round (Mark Novak)

The dominant win was the third time the Flash have been victorious at home by a 5-0 scoreline and the seventh time this season that they have scored four or more goals in a game.

In front of comfortably their biggest home attendance of the season – over 500 – the Flash lived up to expectation and put on a performance of some repute, playing in front of their home crowd for the final time this campaign.

And it was Buffalo who came out of the blocks early, with top goalscorer Maria Ruiz lofting her effort just wide, after an impudent through ball from left winger Pamela Conti. The two Mediterranean attackers, along with home debutant and recent Japanese signing Rie Sawai, were putting on a clinic in passing and movement, and the home fans were enjoying the show.

After 17 minutes, good team passing resulted in Erika Sutton hitting the post with a left footed strike.

However, the Flash faithful didn’t have to wait much longer to see their new heroines open the scoring.

In the 25th minute, Ruiz headed home Sarah Wagenfuhr’s corner, from close range, to notch her 10th goal of the season. Nine minutes passed before Sutton’s cross deflected and looped over goalkeeper Marie-Pier Bilodeau, and landed inside the back post, to double the scoring.

The Flash were well worth their 2-0 halftime lead.

In the second half, the goal action intensified further. On the hour, Ruiz bent a curling 20-yard shot which was tipped onto the crossbar, before bouncing down and out, only for the advancing right midfielder Sutton to tap home her second of the game and sixth of the season.

With 12 minutes remaining, substitute Jacquelyn Lacek was on the spot to pick up the pieces and slot away her second goal of the season, after a Jamie Craft run had beaten the Amiral offside trap.

In truth, the Flash could have come close to double figures, but they had to settle with Craft’s breakaway finish on 82 minutes, rounding off the scoring for the evening, to end 5-0, and give the Flash fans a joyous farewell until next season.

Another stellar defensive display from the Flash back four of Alexandra Sahlen, Kimberly Brandao, Katarina Tarr and Lena Mosebo, meant that Amanda Becker, was once again, well protected in goal, and an eighth shut out of the season was achieved.

Buffalo will now travel on Thursday to take on undefeated FC Indiana Lionesses, who host the Central Conference Final Four, in a Friday evening conference semifinal match-up at Jefferson High School in Lafayette, Indiana.

The Lionesses are coming off the back of a 9-0 win over West Michigan Firewomen in their last Midwest Divisional game and a 10-0-2 regular season in which they’ve scored 63 goals and conceded only two. Their perfect home record saw them score 38 goals, while remarkably conceding none, in their six games.

The match-up between the only two full time professional USL W-League teams should be a mouth-watering one.

Full Story

2009 W-League Semifinals
The 2009 W-League Semifinals, which will be hosted in two locations for the first time in league history.

The regular season champion Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues will play host to the defending champion Pali Blues Friday July 31 at Academy Field in Newburgh, NY. Kick off is set for 7:30 pm ET.

The following night, August 1, the Washington Freedom will play host to the Ottawa Fury at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Kick off is scheduled for 6:00 pm ET.

For the first time in league history, the W-League title will be decided in a single-game event the following weekend when the two semifinal winners meet Friday, August 7 at 7:30 pm ET. The match will be shown live on Fox Soccer Channel.

The W-League championship was originally decided via a six-team tournament in its first three seasons from 1995-1997 and was a four-team event from 1998 through last year.

Liam Maloney got the Fury off on the right foot blasting home a loose ball from a Joel Theissen shot in the 7th minute. The goal brought the capacity crowd to their feet which had plenty to cheer about all evening long. The Fury continued to press and Maloney almost added a second when Andrew Rigby sprung him on a break away but Barons keeper Tunde Ogunbiyi came out to challenge diffusing the chance despite the Fury’s plea for a penalty. The play settled down as the half wore on as both sides battled for control of the midfield. The Barons had appeared to have tied it late in injury time, but the goal was called back on the offside with the first half ending 1-0 for Ottawa.

The Barons came out strong to start the second half and after a wave of chances the ball fell to JT Noone who slotted home the tying goal in the 60th minute. Both teams exchanged chances as the half progress but the goalkeepers from both sides kept their teams level. As extra time seemed imminent the Fury press late and Andrew Rigby fired just high and wide as the whistle sound the conclusion of 90 minutes.

In the first stanza of 15 minutes of extra time Tyler Bellamy put the Barons ahead touching home a loose ball at the back post. Ottawa immediately countered with a great chance, but Ogunbiyi stymied the Fury once again. The first 15 minutes of extra time ended with the Barons leading 2-1. The Fury opened the second stanza of extra time with a flurry of chances that burt were unable tro convert. Headers from Brien Chamney and Alexis Pradie sailed over trhe goal as did a last minute chance from Florian DeCamps which was followed by the final whistle declaring Ocean City 2009 Northeast Division Champions.

The loss marks the first loss at home for the Fury since 2007 and their first loss of the 2009 season. With many milestones achieved including their first-ever playoff birth the Fury end a successful season and will look to return and push further in 2010.

Full Story

In their last meeting on June 12 Ottawa came out 1-0 victors, an outcomes that almost repeated itself again. Both teams came out hungry early keeping the defenders of both sides on their toes. Ria Percival lofted in a free kick in the 20th minute which Michelle Evans rifled off the crossbar and Anna Caniglia headed home. The Fury continued to press after the goal, but Buffalo countered with several rushes of their own and almost drew even when Pamela Conti’s header hit the crossbar and stayed out. Before the half was out Michelle Evans was also denied by the crossbar after she curled a free kick in on goal from 20 yards out.

Leading after 45 minutes the Fury continued to generate chances early and the games tempo continued to rise. Maria Ruiz found herself alone in front of goal in the 74th minute but fired over the bar after several minutes of Buffalo pressure. The Flash were awarded a penalty kick deep into injury time much to the dismay of the Fury players and coaching staff. Maria Ruiz who had be unlucky all evening long pulled Buffalo even and helping their chances at 2nd place if they can manage at least a draw against Laval tomorrow.

The Fury Women close out the regular season tomorrow against Rochester (0-12-1) and will begin the playoffs next Saturday at a location to be announced.

Next Game
vs Rochester Ravens
Sunday, July 19 at 6pm
Algonquin College Soccer Complex

Game Stats

Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver Whitecaps FC women concluded their W-League season on a down note Sunday afternoon, losing 4-1 away to Real Colorado Cougars.
Full Story

Toronto Lady Lynx
The Toronto Lady Lynx capped off their 2009 season with an exclamation point this afternoon, routing the visiting Quebec City Amiral 2-0.
Full Story

Other Canadian Action
Ottawa vs Rochester 7:0
Hamilton vs London 3:0
Buffalo vs Laval 2:1

Amber Hearn brought a crowd of over 400 at the Algonquin College Soccer Complex to their feet with a powerful low strike at the near post to open the scoring in the 13th minutes. Hearn netted her second and W-League leading 12th goal of the season in the 27th minute off a Ria Percival corner as the Kiwi-connection put the Fury out to a much need two-goal lead. Six minutes later Katie Bethke netted her first goal of the season after a Ria Percival strike was blocked. The Fury continued their magic on set pieces in the 42nd minute when Jennifer Hance redirected an Anna Caniglia corner home for her fourth goal of the season. Early into injury time Caniglia did it all herself curling a corner kick inside the back post for her third of the season and a 5-0 Fury lead at half-time.

The Fury made many changes in the second half and continued their possession-based attack, but were unable to add anything further past Cometes keeper Marie Richelle Coulomb. The Cometes were missing six starters from their line-up who are currently at the Canadian Women’s U-20 camp. Former Fury W-League player and Youth Program graduate made a return to her hometown and factored into the outcome late into the game tallying her 11th goal of the season deep into injury time to ruin the clean sheet for the Fury.
Gillian Baggott, another graduate of the Fury Youth Program, made her Fury W-League debut entering into the game in the second half.

Next Game
Saturday, July 18th
vs Buffalo Flash
7:00 pm
Algonquin College Soccer Complex

Fury U15 Girls Perfect At Gothia Cup In Sweden
Team goes 3-0 in round robin of international youth soccer tournament, advances to knockout round

The Ottawa Fury U15 Girls have put their stamp on the 2009 Gothia Cup!

The cup, held annually in Gothenburg, Sweden, is one of the largest youth soccer tournaments in the world with more than 1000 teams from over 50 nations participating. The Ottawa Fury Soccer Club’s U15 Girls team coached by Don Bouchard travelled this past weekend to play in this year’s edition of the tournament, and were placed in a preliminary group with three Swedish sides.

Things started strongly for the girls on Monday, as they went out 2-0 victors over Åkersberga BK on goals from Lauriane Brissette-Lesage and Kristen Gilmour. They followed their early successes with a 3-1 win over Enköpings SK through two goals from Karina Fredette and one from Krista Wilson. Sitting 2-0-0 in their group and needing only one more win to guarantee their place in the knockout stages of the tournament, the Fury did not disappoint – winning their third match by an impressive 7-0 margin over Kvarnby IK through a Krista Wilson hat trick, a brace from Taylor Piovesan and goals from Kristen Gilmour and Brianna Boutziouvis.

The perfect round-robin record means the Fury now advance to the “A” pool finals and are seeded #1 overall. They will play Sävar IK at 9:50 am. Thursday morning, with the winner to play again at 2:35 pm.

MISSASSUGA — The Toronto Lady Lynx emphatically snapped their four-game winless streak with a stunning 2-0 victory over the previously-undefeated Ottawa Fury at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga this afternoon. Giselle Mangal and Erica Henderson netted second-half goals to power Toronto to their first-ever home win against their bitter Ontario rivals.

The Lady Lynx even up their record at 4-4-4 (16 points) on the year, while the Fury fall to 9-1-1 (28 points) on the year. The two teams split the season series with one win each. Justine Bernier earned her third shutout of the year in net for Toronto in the victory.

Ottawa, who entered the match with the best record in the W-League, opened the first half with a strong wind at their back, and came at the Lady Lynx early. Toronto’s defense held fast and did not allow the Fury to turn their possession advantage into scoring chances.

The solid defensive effort in the first half energized the young Lady Lynx squad, and they took control of the game early after intermission. Five minutes into the second frame, Fury ‘keeper Jasmine Philips was unable to corral a loose ball in the six-yard box, and Mangal knocked it into the netting for her second goal of the year, giving Toronto a 1-0 lead.

Eight minutes later, Lady Lynx co-captain Clare Rustad curled a free kick from just outside the penalty area towards goal, where it found the head of a leaping Henderson. The Rochester native powered it past Philips into the goal and Toronto had an insurmountable 2-0 advantage. The Fury pressed until the final whistle, but Bernier and the rest of the Lady Lynx defense denied the attack and Toronto claimed the three points.

The Lady Lynx’ now head into the final week of the regular season and wrap up their schedule with two home games. The Hamilton Lady Avalanche travel up the QEW to the Hershey Centre on Thursday evening for a 7:30 PM kick-off, and the Quebec City Amiral make their first-ever visit on Saturday afternoon, July 18, for a 5:00 PM encounter.

Tickets can be purchased by calling the Lynx ticket hotline at 416-251-4625 x 31, or at the stadium box office one hour prior to kick-off.

Toronto Lineup
Bernier, Chapman, Henderson, Mailloux, Rustad, Clarke, MacDonald, Frederick, Agueci, Morra (Ruhe Lischke, 67), Mangal (Urbas, 60)

Ottawa Lineup
Philips, Percival, Caniglia, Johnson, Bethke (Wtezel, 67), Moorwood, Houliston (Romagnuolo, 13), Raber (Kete, 58), Hearn, Evans

Game Stats Toronto-Ottawa
Cautions: 2 (Henderson, 25; MacDonald, 32) – 0
Shots: 5-14
Saves: 9-5
Fouls: 9-10
Offsides: 0-2
Corners: 1-3

Scorers
Toronto
Mangal (Morra) 50′
Henderson (Rustad) 58′

Lady Lynx Next Game
vs Hamilton
July 16 at 7:30 PM
The Hershey Centre

More W-League Action
Quebec City vs Hamilton 4:0
Buffalo vs London 5:0
Laval vs Hamilton 4:0
London vs Rochester 3:0

The goal put the Avalanche back on their heels as the Fury pressed for a second goal which came in the 85th minute from defender Anna Caniglia who headed home the Michelle Evans corner for her second of the season.

Emma Kete made her Fury debut coming on in the final five minutes for her first touches in Fury colours. Kete joins the Fury from the New Zealand National team becoming the fourth Kiwi to join the Fury this year. Yewande Balogun collected the shutout for the Fury.

The Fury now move into a tie with the Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues (8-0-1) for top spot in the W-League.

Full Story

Kiwi Connection Pushes Fury to Top Spot in W-League
The Ottawa Fury Women (9-0-1) squeaked by the London Gryphons (2-7-2) to propel themselves into top spot in the W-League also building a six point lead over Quebec City (7-3-1) for top spot in the Great Lakes Division.

Ottawa took an early 1-0 lead when the the Kiwi connection of Amber Hearn and Ria Percival came together that saw Hearn head home the Percival corner for her League-leading 10th goal of the season putting the Fury ahead after 12 minutes. If not for some great saves by Fury keeper Jasmine Phillips the scoreline could have been different heading into half time as the Fury held a 1-0 lead.

London came out fast and determined to start the second half and pulled even in the 52nd minute when Melissa Bigg blasted home a well-placed long ball from Stephanie Martin. The Gryphons continued to push once again forcing Jasmine Phillips to make some tremendous saves.

The Fury began to generate some opportunities of the own and after a few squandered chances Amber Hearn cracked a volley of the near post with the rebounding falling perfect to Michelle Evans who slotted a shot into the far corner for a 2-1 Fury lead. Another version of the Fury’s Kiwi-connection came together when Amber Hearn picked out Emma Kete who tapped home her first goal in Fury colours in injury time. Keeping the on their toes, Melissa Smith slotted home a low show beating Phillips to pull the Gryphons within one, but it was too little too late and the Fury hung on for the 3-2 victory.

Next Game
Sunday, July 12
@ Toronto Lady Lynx at 1:00 pm

Next Home Game (Algonquin College Soccer Complex)
Wednesday, July 15
vs Laval Comets at 7:00 pm

More Canadian W-League Results
At Laval
Laval Comets 1, Toronto Lady Lynx 0
Full Story

Laval Comets 4, Rochester Ravens 0
Full Story

At Quebec City
Quebec City Amirals 1, Buffalo Flash 1
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Quebec City Amirals 3, Rochester Ravens 2
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Jodi-Ann Robinson opened scoring for Vancouver on one of two Whitecaps penalty kicks in the second half, before Force midfielder Monica Dolinsky evened it up with a brilliant free kick with a quarter-hour remaining.

Whitecaps head coach Alan Koch kept virtually the same starters in the last game away to Pali Blues, with the only change being in goal, where 19-year-old rookie Stephanie Panozzo took the field in place of Sian Bagshawe.

Vancouver threatened in the opening minutes with Amy Vermeulen looking sharp on the left. Just four minutes in, she curled a dangerous ball in front, which Kate Qually just failed to redirect past Force goalkeeper Maria Del Guercia.

The visitors then produced two early scares. On 9′, speedy winger Nikki Marshall broke quickly down the right, out-pacing two Vancouver players before cutting in on goal and hitting the crossbar with a sharp-angle shot. Then on 16′ a loose ball in front wasn’t cleared, and Colorado forward Shay Powell hooked a high dipping shot on net. Panozzo was just able to touch against the crossbar and then gather the ball when it dropped.

Vancouver’s play in the first half lacked urgency and good chances were few. The home side’s best moment came on 21′, as Robinson twisted and turned at the top of the box, then hit a powerful shot which the keeper did well to parry.

On 44′ the visitors threatened again, as Shay Powell moved in on the right and blaster a hard shot that went just over the near post.

It was scoreless at halftime, and coach Koch knew his team could do better. “We had no intensity in the first 45,” he said after the game. “We have to win every challenge.”

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Fury Move Into First Place
OTTAWA – The Ottawa Fury Women (7-0-1) took on the Quebec City Amirals (7-3-0) in a battle for first place in the Great Lakes Division less than 24 hours drawing the Laval Cometes 1-1.

After a scoreless first half Amber Hearn converted a Michelle Evans cross hammering it into the top of the goal for her W-League leading ninth goal of the season giving the Fury the 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute.

Hearn’s goal proved to be the difference as the Fury extent their undefeated season to eight games.

Jasmine Phillips collected her sixth win and fourth shutout of the season as the Fury become one of only five W-League teams that remain unbeaten.

Next Game: Saturday, July 4 vs Hamilton Avalanche – 7:00 pm Kick-Off at the Algonquin College Soccer Complex.

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Buffalo buries Hamilton 5-0
ORCHARD PARK, NY — Buffalo Flash made it nine goals in two games with none conceded after a second half goal blitz, marking the second time this season the Flash have turned a 0-0 home halftime scoreline into a 5-0 win as they put away the Hamilton Avalanche Sunday.

Five goals in 15 second half minutes from Maria Ruiz, Erika Sutton (two), Rosie Tantillo and Brooke Barbuto, allowed Buffalo to turn their dominance into three well earned points, and the scoreline to reflect their superiority.

The first half was full of rain, but void of many clear cut chances. The best came after Ruiz was tripped in the box, but Sarah Wagenfuhr saw her resulting penalty saved by Avalanche captain Amy Holt, who was unbeatable for the first hour of the game.

As the rain cleared, so came the flood of goals. After 66 minutes Shaylyn Lawrence picked up her first point of the season, in assisting Ruiz’s goal. Lawrence broke free down the right wing, before bending her cross straight onto the head of the Spanish striker, whose header was angled perfectly into the bottom left of the net, for her eighth goal of the season.

Seven minutes later, Sutton, pushed into a more advanced left sided role, than she’d began the game in, latched onto the end of a Jessica O’Rourke through-ball, and slotted home with the outside of her right foot, to double the hosts’ lead.

Another four minutes passed before Tantillo picked up a Ruiz pass, and placed her left footed effort into the corner of the net from near the penalty spot.

At this point, the floodgates opened and in the 79th minute, Sutton matched her feat of last week against Laval, when she smashed a 35 yard strike into the top corner of the net. It was another fantastic strike, and her second goal of the game.

Less than two minutes later, substitute Barbuto rounded off the scoring, with a nice dribble into the box, drop of the shoulder, and comfortable finish, her first for the Flash. In doing so, she remarkably became the 12th Buffalo Flash outfielder to score this season – only nine games in – from a roster of only 15 outfielders.

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Other Results
Ottawa Fury 1, Laval Comets 1
Hamilton Avalanche 6, Rochester Ravens 0
London Gryphons 6, Rochester Ravens 2