Nuke Soccer

LONDON, ON — The Ottawa Fury W-League team began their 2009 season with a 3-1 win over the London Gryphons (0-2-0) Saturday afternoon at North London Stadium in London, Ontario. Goals from Michelle Evans, Amber Hearn and Sari Raber gave Ottawa the three points after London had taken the lead on a goal by Melissa Smith.

Both teams battled for control in the early stages, but it was the Fury that held a majority of the possession and began create soem early chances. Katie Bethke and Pacheco featured prominently early on but it was the Gryphons who would take the lead in the 23rd minute. After some uncharacteristic “early season” defending by the Fury defence, Melissa Smith placed her shot from close range past Fury keeper Jasmine Phillips.

The Fury continued to hold the majority of possession and impressed with some fine passing movements. The Gryphons held off the Fury at the back and Smith and Devon Beech gave the Fury back line some scares whenever the Gryphons pushed forward. It was not until just before half time (in the 44th minute) before the Fury equalized when a clever interchange between Katie Bethke and Gina Pacheco resulted in Bethke crossing for Michelle Evans to volley home from close range.

The Fury raised their passing game in the second half and began to stretch the Gryphons defence. Once again however they failed to capitalize on their possession. Gryphons keeper Jeny Wolbert kept the Fury at bay as chances fell to Pacheco, Jennifer Hance and Hearn for the Fury. At the other end, it took a fine save by keeper Phillips to keep Ottawa on level terms after the Gryphnos almost scored on a breakaway.

The close miss seemed to spur the Fury further forward and they began to place sustained pressure on the London defence. With both Ria Percival and Katie Bethke joining the attack on the flanks, a goal became ever more likely. The go ahead goal arrived in the 74th minute when Hearn met a free kick from Evans with a glancing header.

It was all Fury at this point and in the 82nd minute Evans turned her defender in the penalty box and placed a cross shot against the far post where Sari Raber slotted in the rebound to give the Fury a two goal lead. The Fury played possession soccer for the remainder of the game but there was still time for substitute and former Fury youth player Julia Hajjar to almost score on her senior team debut. The Fury outshot the Gryphons 25 to 7.

The Fury Women (1-0-0) now head to Hamilton (0-0-0) where they will face the Avalanche Sunday afternoon at 3 PM at Ivor Wynne Stadium

HAMILTON, ON — The Ottawa Fury defeated the Hamilton Avalanche by a 5 – 0 score this afternoon in W-League action at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton. Jennifer Hance, Amber Hearn, Michelle Evans and a late brace from Sari Raber grabbed the goals for the Fury.

The game was played in a strong difficult wind. The Fury had the wind at their backs in the first half and pinned the Avalanche in their own end for long periods. Despite dominating possession, the Fury created few clear cut chances and had to wait until the 45th minute to break down a packed and resolute Avalanche defence. Jennifer Hance unleashed a fierce shot which rocketed past Avs keeper Amy Holt to give the Fury a 1-0 lead at half time.

After the break, the Fury took control with their quick passing game despite playing against the wind. In the 63rd minute, Hance met a corner with a header which was saved on the goal line only for Amber Hearn to stab the ball home.

Five minutes later Michelle Evans made it 3-0 with a delightful curling shot past Holt. Sari Raber made it scored two almost identical goals at the near post in the 78th and 82nd minutes after good work down the right hand side by Nathalie Urbas, Julia Hajjar and Tina Romagnuolo which solidified a 5-0 Fury victory earning them the full six points in their opening road trip of the season.

The Avalanche were restricted to a header from Carley Luongo and a shot by Sylvia Kowalski by the strong Fury back line of Ria Percival, Danielle Johnson, Anna Caniglia and Katie Bethke.

The win, the second of their weekend road trip, moves the Fury to 2-0-0 ahead of next Saturdays home opener against Toronto.