Ontario Fury Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive
Ontario Fury recorded an 8-2 home victory over El Paso Coyotes on Sunday afternoon as the Inland Empire club continues its push for a playoff spot in the Pacific Division. The match was highlighted by the home debut of Jermaine Jones, former defensive midfielder for the U.S. Men’s National Team.
MASL Soccer News: Ontario Fury remains in the hunt for a 2018/19 Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) playoff berth following an 8-2 victory versus El Paso Coyotes at Citizens Business Bank Arena.
The night was highlighted by a well-rounded Ontario performance with multiple players leading the offense. Jermaine Jones recorded a goal and assist in his home debut, while Juan Carlos Gonzalez notched a brace and Evan McNeeley tallied two assists. Ontario goalkeeper Chris Toth recorded 15 saves on the night for another stellar performance.
Ontario gained the lead with 40 seconds remaining in the opening quarter with Maicon De Abreu on the scoring end. Jones collected the ball on the left sideline boards, picked up his head and found De Abreu at the back post for the tap-in finish.
The Fury held a 1-0 advantage at the end of the opening quarter despite numerous attempts on goal.
Ontario found the back of the net in similar fashion during the second quarter. Holding the ball near the left sideline boards, De Bray Hollimon picked his head up and found an unmarked Troy Mckerrell at the back post for the one-time finish.
Gonzalez gave the hosts a 3-0 lead with under two minutes left to play of the half. A strike inside the near post by Gonzalez found the back of the net despite a small window of opportunity.
Ontario held a three-goal advantage at the half, displaying dominance against the Texas club. The Fury recorded 19 shots in the first half, while El Paso tallied seven.
The opening goal of the second half came three minutes and 37 seconds into the third quarter. A 20-yard strike from McNeeley was deflected by Gonzalez into goal to give Ontario a 4-0 lead.
Jones extended Ontario’s lead by dispossessing the Coyotes goalkeeper and finishing on goal for the five-goal advantage.
El Paso scored its opening goal of the match with nine minutes remaining of the third quarter. An authoritative strike from outside the penalty area by Hugo Puentes put the visitors on the scoreboard.
Anibal Echeverria scored Ontario’s sixth goal of the night with a stunning strike from outside the penalty area. The tally four minutes into the final quarter pushed Ontario’s lead to 6-1.
Midway into the period, William Raygoza found the back of the net for Ontario. Without an option, Raygoza calmly sent a placed finish into the back of the net.
El Paso scored its second goal of the match ten minutes into the quarter with Alejandro Balbuena on the scoring end.
With 30 seconds remaining, Ontario midfielder Andy Reyes found the back of the net to give the Fury an 8-2 advantage. Ontario (10-11) remains in the hunt for a playoff spot, sitting one loss behind the Tacoma Stars (10-10).
The Fury will close out the regular season with three home game at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California. The Inland Empire club will host Turlock Express in its next match on Saturday, March 30, at 6:00 p.m. PT.
