Ottawa Edges Past Portland

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Tuesday, July 17, 2012

OTTAWA, Ontario -- It took 120 minutes for the Ottawa Fury to oust the GPS Portland Phoenix in the PDL Northeast Division Playoff at the Algonquin College Soccer Complex on Tuesday night, but overtime goals from Will Beauge and Alex Rodriguez coupled with some stellar goalkeeping from Nils Carlson handed the Fury a 3-2 victory and a berth in the PDL Eastern Conference Championships this weekend.

GPS Portland had forced overtime with just three minutes to go as their late pressure would be rewarded when former Fury midfielder Keegan Ziada crossed into the penalty area and the Phoenix's leading scorer Eric Anderson headed past Carlson to level the game. Ottawa produced a flurry of chance in stoppage time, but were unable to finish, sending the game to overtime.

Ottawa's first chance in overtime came through Tom Beattie, but his effort was denied by Phoenix goalkeeper Terrence Dieterich. The Fury then got the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot in the 101st minute when Niall Crick was brought down inside the penalty area, allowing Beauge to slot home the penalty kick. But while Ottawa thought it had the lead, the linesman flagged Dieterich for coming off his line and after a lengthy meeting with the referee, Beauge was forced to take the penalty a second time. Again, he made no mistake to put the Fury ahead with 15 minutes to play.

The Fury then gave themselves a two-goal advantage in the opening minute of the second half of overtime as Rodriguez received a pass from Beauge and weaved his way through the Portland midfield and defense and found the back of the net. Ottawa held their own following Rodriguez's goal, looking to settle the game down and seal the victory, and it wasn't until Portland pulled one back in the 120th minute from Blaike Woodruff that the Fury showed any nerves. After several agonizing minutes of stoppage time, though, the final whistle would send the Fury into the PDL Eastern Conference Championships. 

The game had opened at a rapid pace that saw neither side establish possession for an extended period of time. GSP Portland was able to create chances, however, and Carlson had to be sharp early and often, making a good diving save on Ziada at the near post. Marcelo Castro produced the first dangerous chance for Ottawa midway through the first half, but his free kick from 20 yards out swerved wide of the top corner. As halftime loomed, Carlo Basso shot over the bar from close range while under pressure and Portland responded with a chance of their own right on halftime, only for Carlson to be equal to the challenge.

Ottawa came out gunning to start the second half and the elusive Eddie Campbell found space in the Phoenix's end, only to be denied by Dieterich before Basso could get a touch on the low shot. In the 60th minute, Carlson again proved sharp, diving to his left to rob a Portland free kick at the near post before Neil Harris headed over the bar on the following corner kick. Carlson again stood tall in the 65th minute to deny the Phoenix and his clearance then sailed over the Phoenix's defense, allowing Campbell to head it over the aggressive Portland goalkeeper to send the Fury into the lead in the 66th minute.

Ottawa will now travel to a location to be confirmed on Wednesday morning for the PDL Eastern Conference Championship this coming weekend.