June 20, 2004 W-League Toronto Inferno vs Ottawa Fury (from Inferno media release)
For Immediate Release
Date: Monday, June 21, 2004
FURY TAKE MOST RECENT W-LEAGUE ‘BATTLE OF ONTARIO’
(NORTH YORK, ONTARIO) - Three Ottawa Fury goals in less than four minutes told the story at North York’s Esther Shiner Stadium on Sunday as the visitors shutout the hometown Toronto Inferno 4-0 in W-League play.
Kelly Parker opened the scoring in the 34th minute after being set up by Amy Vermeulen. Three minutes later, Aisha Alfa made the score 2-0 with an assist from Parker. The Inferno’s public address announcer had not even made the official announcement of Alfa’s goal when Vermeulen picked up her second point of the day with help from Diana Matheson.
”The team played very well defensively until allowing the first goal,” said head coach Tom McManus.
”However, they dropped their heads in disappointment and before you knew it, we were down another goal.”
After allowing the third goal, Toronto did pick up their play and stayed even with the Fury throughout the rest of the afternoon. However, the Fury had already done some damage.
The Inferno would continue to hold Ottawa off the scoreboard until the 90th minute, when Diana Matheson scored in her first match against her former team on a 20-yard free kick. Matheson struck the ball perfectly, depositing it inches under the middle of the crossbar just past the outstretched arm of Inferno goalkeeper Anne Ogundele.
Former Toronto Inferno goalkeeper Leisha Alcia recorded her sixth shutout in seven starts for Ottawa in her first season with the Fury. Alcia played for the Inferno in 2001 and 2002.
With the win, Ottawa improves their record to a perfect 7-0 and occupies first place in the North Central Division. Toronto drops to 1-6 and sits in fourth place of the five-team North Central Division.
”We knew going into the match that they were a good team and gave them too much respect,” remarked McManus.
“We also allowed them to win too many balls by not challenging enough.”
Contrary to their play in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over the Rochester Ravens, Toronto Inferno forwards had difficulty finishing on scoring chances.
”They have the skill to turn those scoring opportunities into goals,” said McManus. ”It’s just a matter of getting it done.”
The Inferno squad will have almost a week to work on their game as they don’t play again until Saturday, June 26 against the visiting Sudbury Canadians. That match will take place at Vaughan’s Ontario Soccer Centre, kicking off at 7 p.m.
About the Toronto Inferno
The Toronto Inferno Soccer Club, founded in 1997, is the original Canadian W-League franchise. Recognized as the best women's soccer developmental league in North America, the W-League now counts seven Canadian franchises amongst its 37 member teams. The other 31 teams are located within America’s 48 contiguous states. W-League news, schedules, scores, standings, rosters, etc. can be accessed at wleague.uslsoccer.com.
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For more information on the Inferno, please call 905-294-6199, e-mail us at inferno@torontoinferno.com, or visit our official Web site, www.torontoinferno.com.
Contact:
Glenn Sutherland
Media Relations
Toronto Inferno Soccer Club
Home Phone: 416-282-9241
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