Valiant Effort Not Enough as Strikers Down Fury FC
April 25, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA, ON (April 25, 2015) - Ottawa Fury FC almost stormed back from a two-goal deficit in the second half of Saturday's game at TD Place against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, with a dramatic goal by Rafael Alves against his former team, but it was not enough to take down the Strikers as Ottawa lost 3-1.
"We've got a great attitude and a great locker room and we just got to stick to what we are doing, and I think if we keep creating chances we'll start burying them," said assistant coach Martin Nash, who took over the bench for head coach Marc Dos Santos who missed the game due to a passing in the family.
Looking for their first-ever win against the Strikers, a determined Ottawa Fury FC came out fast and strong with a shot by midfielder Paulo Junior that hit the crossbar in the 2nd minute.
In the 9th minute, forward Tom Heinemann had a scoring chance in the box that was saved by Fort Lauderdale keeper Joe Nasco, leaving a juicy rebound for Oliver who was unable to get a clean shot away. Nasco was hurt on the play as he got tangled up with Heinemann. Lionel Brown replaced him in the 12th minute.
Fury keeper Romauld Peiser would come up with a huge save the 15th minute off a shot by Fort Lauderdale midfielder PC.
In the 41st minute, Fort Lauderdale forward Jose Angulo would put the Strikers on the board with a goal off a corner kick by PC. Fury FC's Paulo Junior would send a flurry of shots to the net in the first half, but Fort Lauderdale would carry a 1-0 lead into the second.
Ottawa came out of the gate in the second with some dangerous plays in the opposition's end. Heinemann would go to the ground in the box, but no call was made. In the 57th minute, Fury midfielder Sanisa Ubiparipovic would replace Oliver in what would be his NASL season debut.
In the 64th, Fort Lauderdale midfielder Marlon Freitas' sent a rocket past Romauld Peiser from 20 yards out to extend the Strikers lead to two.
Ottawa would finally get on the board in the 78th minute as Ubiparipovic would send a corner in and Rafael Alves would finish it to put Fury FC within one. Alves, who has just two goals in his NASL career, scored last season for the Strikers against Fury FC, revsersing the trick against his former team this afternoon. Ottawa would go back to work with a flurry of chances, but would be unable to squeak another one past the Strikers keeper.
In stoppage time, Fort Lauderdale's Angulo would score on an offensive-minded Fury squad to finish off the game.
Another busy week begins for Fury FC as they travel to Edmonton for the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship on April 29 (10pm ET) before heading to Coney Island to face the New York Cosmos on May 2. Fury FC returns to TD Place on May 9 when the Tampa Bay Rowdies come to town. Tickets available at OttawaFuryFC.com.
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- Strikers Secure Big Win in Ottawa - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Valiant Effort Not Enough as Strikers Down Fury FC - Ottawa Fury FC
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