Fury Punch Ticket to Championship Final with Thrilling Extra Time Victory
November 8, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
Tom Heinemann of Ottawa Fury FC Scores against Minnesota United in Extra Time
(Ottawa Fury FC, Credit: Steve Kingsman)
OTTAWA, ON - Mark your calendars, Ottawa! Fury FC are headed to The Championship! In front of an NASL postseason record crowd of 9346, TD Place rocked for 120 minutes as Fury FC turned a 1-0 deficit at halftime into a thrilling 2-1 victory in extra time.
"Soccer finally arrived in Ottawa," said Ottawa Fury FC head coach Marc Dos Santos following Ottawa's massive victory.
Christian Ramirez gave Minnesota a 1-0 lead converting an early penalty kick. Tom Heinemann pulled Ottawa level two minutes into the second half and netted what proved to be the match-winner in the 108th minute. Goalkeeper Romuald Peiser made several key saves late in the match before the record crowd spilled onto the pitch in celebration following the final whistle.
"This is a special club and it starts from the top. To be part of a club that has come this far in year two and to achieve what we achieved this year, it is leadership," said Fury FC's goal scorer Tom Heinemann.
The Championship Semifinal match pitted the best defensive team in the league against the best offensive side. With little separation between the two sides in their season series (1W-1D-1L), Ottawa and Minnesota battled to take control of this match early.
Ottawa took the game to Minnesota early as Tom Heinemann threaten early. The opening half was physically grueling on both teams as evidence by the number of yellow cards. Daniel Mendes earned the visitors a penalty much to the dismay of the 9000+ in attendance. Christian Ramirez slotted home the spot kick in the 7th minute to put Minnesota ahead early.
Fury FC would continue to dictate the pace and threatened with wave after wave of attacks on goal, but keeper Sammy Ndjock was there to deny Ottawa of an equalizer. Andrew Wiedeman, Heinemann and Julian De Guzman all produced several first half opportunities, buy Ottawa would trail after the opening 45 minutes.
Ottawa's spirited offensive efforts would finally pay off early in the second half as Heinemann would drill a ball into the net to level the scoring in the 47th minute.
The early equalizer add more energy to the Fury legs as Paulo Junior threaten for a go-ahead-goal and was denied while Andrew Wiedeman saw his effort stay out after hitting the post.
Defender Mason Trafford made a goal-saving block on Ramirez as both side exchange counter-attacking opportunities late in the second half.
With all six of their life-time meetings being decided by a goal, it seemed only fitting that Sunday's Championship Semifinal required extra time. After a scoreless first 15 minute half, midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic spotted a streaking Tom Heinemann who found space behind the Minnesota defence and beat Ndjock with a left-footed strike to send TD Place into an absolute frenzy.
Peiser would come up with a brilliant stop on a header from Minnesota forward JC Banks to protect Ottawa's lead and would do it again in the final minutes with another spectacular save on Banks from seven yards out. The French keeper was not done there. Peiser would do it yet again on Greg Jordan in the dying seconds to help punch Ottawa's ticket to New York.
The win is Ottawa's 13th straight (8W-5D-0L) to tied that NASL unbeaten streak record. Fury FC also have just a single loss in their last 26 matches (15W-10D-1L). Ottawa will take their 13-match road unbeaten streak into New York, the last team Ottawa lost to on the road back on May 2.
Fury FC will travel to New York to face the Cosmos at James Shuart Stadium on the campus of Hofstra University on Sunday, November 15 at 5:00pm for The Championship.
Images from this story
 Tom Heinemann of Ottawa Fury FC Scores against Minnesota United in Extra Time (Steve Kingsman) |
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North American Soccer League Stories from November 8, 2015
- Fury Punch Ticket to Championship Final with Thrilling Extra Time Victory - Ottawa Fury FC
- Minnesota United Falls 2-1 in Extra Time; Ottawa Fury Advance to Championship Match - Minnesota United FC
- New York Cosmos to Host Ottawa Fury FC in Championship Final on Sunday - NASL
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