May 22, 2007 PDL Ottawa Fury vs Toronto Lynx (from Brockville Recorder and Times)
City soccer club showcases Fury, Lynx
By DEANNA CLARK
Assistant Sports Editor
Just 10 days after getting the phone call to join the club, and before the season has really started, Anthony Di Biase has a win to call his own.
The 19-year-old Toronto footballer scored the lone goal to carry his new Ottawa Fury United Soccer Premier Development League's team to victory 1-0 over friends on the Toronto Lynx team in an exhibition game on the Pat Beasley Fields Sunday afternoon here.
"It feels pretty good," said Di Biase Monday, who played against many Toronto Lynx players he knows well.
Despite rainy conditions and wet grass, Di Biase kicked it in at an unbelievable angle to beat Lynx netminder Chris Baker.
"I was pretty happy because there is a big rivalry between the two," said Di Biase of the two major Ontario clubs.
"It was a big goal for us."
The Ottawa Fury took the game with Di Biase's goal under intermittent rain Sunday afternoon.
A crowd of more than 150 turned out despite the poor weather. The showcase game followed a two-day Brockville Soccer Club Inc. and Ottawa Fury partnership weekend, which included a clinic for minor players.
The game was scoreless at the half, with the Lynx missing a penalty kick by Sergio LeLuca.
In the third, the Fury had an disqualified off-side goal. But Di Biase had a few chances and finally nailed it in the final quarter. His mother, driving all the way from Toronto, was there to see it.
Di Biase will be attending Niagara University in Buffalo this fall.
He was one of many talented players who were piped on to the field by Brockville Pipe Band Pipe Major Ken Larocque Sunday.
"We try to build a relationship and get the Fury out in the community," said Fury general manager Matt Holbrook, who noted most of the players, coming from throughout the world, are on a summer break from full soccer scholarships in the United States.
"It's a good stepping stone," said Holbrook of the players coming to Canada during the summer months.
The Ottawa Fury started as a women's team in 1996. In 2001, John Pugh purchased the team and has since developed 17 teams within the club.
"We want people to know our name," said Holbrook.
Normally the Fury and the Lynx, who are not in the same conference within the 65-team PDL, would not meet until the playoffs. The game Sunday gave them the chance to see each other.
"It just made sense for us to come here and do this at this time," said Toronto Lynx head coach Duncan Wilde.
"It's a chance to get lined up for the season, and looking at players," said Wilde.
Prior to the showcase game, the under-20 Lynx and Fury teams met for an exhibition game. It ended in a 1-1 tie.
Local organizers were happy with the turnout, despite the cold, rainy weather Sunday.
"They're very excited to come back," said Brockville Soccer Club president Lorrie Laming of the Fury partnership
"We did this for the kids. They said they learned a lot, watching these players. That is what is important."
Published in Section B, page 1 in the Tuesday, May 22, 2007 edition of the Brockville Recorder & Times.
.
.