
North Carolina FC Draws 1-1 at Ottawa Fury FC, Austin Da Luz Reaches 10,000-Minute Milestone
April 21, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
North Carolina FC News Release
OTTAWA, - North Carolina FC concluded its three-game road trip today, drawing 1-1 with Ottawa Fury FC at TD Place Stadium. NCFC successfully went undefeated and earned five points on the road trip, which featured a grueling three matches in eight days.
Today, NCFC co-captain and North Carolina native, Austin da Luz, reached the 10,000-minute milestone for NCFC, becoming just the sixth player in club history to do so. Da Luz is in his seventh season with the club and has made 134 appearances, scored 15 goals and added eight assists across competitive matches for NCFC during his career. As the achievements continue to roll in for da Luz, the veteran is establishing himself as an all-time great with the club.
Both teams took their time settling into the match in the early minutes. However, NCFC enjoyed the better first half and broke open the match in the 35th minute when Daniel Rios scored his third goal of the season off an assist from Marios Lomis. Rios placed his shot into the top corner of the net after a clinical give-and-go with Lomis and Marcel Kandziora opened the Ottawa defense to provide Rios with the shot.
Following the halftime break, Ottawa increased its urgency in search of an equalizer. NCFC nearly held back the Fury's push, but in the 86th minute, Ottawa scored a late goal.
Christian Portilla whipped a corner kick towards the mouth of goal. On Alex Tambakis' ensuing save attempt, a tangle of bodies collided with the keeper, which caused the ball to fall into the back of the net.
With just minutes remaining, Ottawa held on for the draw, to give NCFC its third positive result in three matches.
Up Next:
North Carolina FC will return home to host Penn FC on Saturday, April 28 at 7 p.m. at Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. The match will be Educator Appreciation Night. Tickets are available online or over the phone at 919-459-8144.
Notes:
NCFC Co-Captain Austin da Luz surpassed 10,000 minutes played for NCFC today. The veteran midfielder is the sixth player in club history to accomplish the feat, joining Kupono Low, Tiyi Shipalane, Connor Tobin, Matt Watson and Nazmi Albadawi.
Four players with North Carolina ties started for NCFC - Raleigh, N.C. native and NCFC Youth Academy product D.J. Taylor, Greenville, N.C., native Michael Harrington, Winston Salem, N.C., native and team co-captain Austin da Luz and long-time Rocky Mount, N.C., resident Futty Danso. Additionally, Raleigh native and NCFC Youth Academy product Dre Fortune made the bench for the team.
Daniel Rios scored his third goal of the season, while Marios Lomis picked up his second assist of the season to open the scoring in the 35thminute.
Box Score:
OTT: (4-3-3): Maxime Crepeau; Eddie Edward, Sergio Manesio, Colin Falvey, Chris Mannella; Christian Portilla, Gerardo Bruna (Jamar Dixon, 80'), Kevin Oliveir; Tony Taylor (Thomas Wiethaeuper-Balbinotti, 84'), Adonijah Reid, Michael Salazar (Carl Haworth, 56')
Subs not sued: Callum Irving, Gabriel Meilleur-Giguere, Kyle Porter, Steevan Dos Santos
NCFC: (4-4-2): Alex Tambakis; Peabo Doue (Aaron Guillen, 61'), Michael Harrington, Futty Danso, DJ Taylor; Austin da Luz ?©, Marcel Kandziora, Graham Smith, Kyle Bekker (Donovan Ewolo, 87'); Daniel Rios (Steven Miller, 76'), Marios Lomis
Subs not used: Austin Guerrero, Wuilito Fernandes, Dre Fortune, Bernhard Luxbacher
Score:
OTT: 1
NCFC: 1
Goals:
OTT: Christian Portilla (unassisted, 86')
NCFC: Daniel Rios (Marios Lomis, 35')
Cautions:
OTT: Gerardo Bruna 70'
NCFC: --
Ejections:
OTT: --
NCFC: --
Attendance: 6,137
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