Ottawa Defence Shines in Sunshine State
June 7, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
JACKSONVILLE, FL (June 7, 2015) - The chances were aplenty at Community First Park in Jacksonville on Sunday afternoon, but it was the goalkeepers and defence that shone in the sweltering Florida heat as Ottawa Fury FC and Jacksonville Armada FC played to a 0-0 draw.
The draw extends Ottawa's unbeaten streak to four games, highlighted by Romuald Peiser's fourth straight clean sheet with his shutout streak now sitting at 436 minutes."I have to highlight the discipline and the mental toughness of our team," said Marc Dos Santos following Sunday's battle in Jacksonville.
"We stayed in the game plan and knew we would be dangerous in counter attacks. The only disappointment was not scoring in the many opportunities we had. I am proud of the guys effort!"
Fury FC had the brighter start to the match as Andrew Wiedeman and Carl Haworth threatened inside the opening 10 minutes. With Miguel Gallardo looking sharp in the Jacksonville goal, Romauld Peiser proved equal to the challenge in the Ottawa net deny both shots and threatening crossed from Jacksonville in the opening half.
Jaime Castrillon produced the most threatening chance for Armada FC but his header hit the top of the crossbar as the two sides went into the dressing room scoreless.
Jacksonville came out with the better start to the second frame and owned a majority of the possession and the chances for significant periods of time. Wave after wave of attack came from Jamal Johnson, Pascal Millien and Marcos Flores, but Ottawa's back line of Mason Trafford, Colin Falvey, Rafael Alves and Ryan Richter worked as a unit with tremendous help from their midfield as Nicki Paterson and Julian De Guzman also played a role in denying several Jacksonville threats.
Peiser again stood tall in the Ottawa goal with a pair of outstanding safes off of Millien who threaten from both distance and close range.
As Dos Santos ushered in his substitutes, Ottawa's attacks were no longer just from counter-attacking situations. For the final ten minutes Ottawa looked likely to score as both Brandon Poltronieri and Andrew Wiedeman produced a pair of glorious opportunities to give Ottawa the win, but Gallardo denied Wiedeman on both occasions while it was the goal post that keep Poltronieri off the score sheet.
The point keeps Ottawa within range of the top four as they travel to San Antonio next Saturday with a crucial three points on the line to close out the NASL Spring Season. Fury FC return to TD Place in the wake of the FIFA Women's World Cup to host Jacksonville to open the NASL Fall Season July 5 at 3pm. Tickets available at OttawaFuryFC.com.
North American Soccer League Stories from June 7, 2015
- Armada FC Dominates Possession But Plays to Scoreless Draw with Ottawa - Jacksonville Armada FC
- Ottawa Defence Shines in Sunshine State - Ottawa Fury FC
- Strikers Announce Technical Staff Changes - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
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