June 6, 2009 W-League Ottawa Fury vs Toronto Lady Lynx (from fury.com media release)
Fury Women Stay Perfect After 5-1 Drubbing of Lady Lynx
[2009.06.07 - Ottawa, ON] Two Goal Efforts from Evans and Hearn Help Fury Hand Toronto First Loss of the Season
The Ottawa Fury Women (3-0-0) handed the Toronto Lady Lynx (2-1-2) their first loss of the season with a convincing 5-1 victory that saw W-League Player of the Week Michelle Evans and New Zealand International Amber Hearn both find the scoresheet twice while Nathalie Urbas tallied her first in a Fury uniform as the Fury remain unbeaten this season recording their 14th consecutive regular season victory dating back to last season.
Over the last four seasons the Lady Lynx and Fury have dueled for top spot of the division with the Fury continuing to hold the edge each season. Last year, the Lady Lynx handed the Fury a 2-1 loss in the third game of the season and looked to do so again Saturday. Inside the first ten minutes Toronto had the Fury hemmed deep inside their own end with the Fury unable to gain control outside of their own half. It took a Fury corner to turn the tide for the Fury as Lady Lynx keeper Justine Bernier was forced to make two difficult saves and also had the crossbar on her side to keep the game scoreless. With the Fury now playing with confidence they began to attack the Lady Lynx with speed from the Percival, Bethke, Pacheco and Raber and control and Evans and Hearn it was only a matter of time before the Fury would strike.
The Fury finally broke the deadlock in the 24th minute when Michelle Evans volleyed home her third goal of the season after a ppor defensive clear by Jamie Schroter. Less than three minutes later Evans would strike again converting on a wonderfully placed crossed from Sari Raber giving the Fury a 2-0 lead and complete control of the game. Despite the Fury's strong play the substitution of former Fury striker Adrienne Ruhe-Lischke seemed to spark the Lady Lynx who would cut the lead in half in the 39th minute when Tiffany Cameron beat Jasmine Phillips after some poor defensive zone coverage by the Fury inside the 18-yard box. Both teams would battle for control throughout the midfield, but the score would remain 2-1 through 45 minutes.
Much like they did to start the game, the Lady Lynx once again kept the Fury hemmed deep in their own territory, but would have little to show for it. The Fury would once again prove their skills and dominance in the midfield creating many chances with numerous sequences that saw almost every Fury player on the pitch get a touch on the ball before each chance. The Fury would finally break through in the 67th minute when Amber Hearn scissor-kicked home a blocked Melissa Evans shot for her third goal of the season impressing the home crowd of over 300. Less than three minutes later the Fury's Kiwi connection would strike when Hearn collected her second of the match heading home a Ria Percival corner at the near post giving the Fury a three goal lead and putting the game all, but out of reach for Toronto. Michelle Evans gave way to Nathalie Urbas in the 74th minute who wasted no time finding goal in her Fury home-debut in the 79th minute giving the Fury a 5-1 lead that they would hold onto with great confidence. As the final whistle blew the Ottawa Fury avenged their 2-1 loss from last season and would pull even with the Buffalo Flash atop the Great Lakes Division.
Next Game: Friday, June 12th @ Buffalo Flash
GAME STATS: Goals: Team 1st Half 2nd Half Final FURY 2 3 5 Lady Lynx 1 0 1 Shots: Team 1st Half 2nd Half Final FURY 7 9 16 Lady Lynx 2 2 4 Corners: Team 1st Half 2nd Half Final FURY 1 5 6 Lady Lynx 2 0 2 Offsides: Team 1st Half 2nd Half Final FURY 1 2 3 Lady Lynx 0 1 1 Attendance: 308 FINAL SCORE: Ottawa FURY 5 - 1 Toronto Lady Lynx
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