With the Fury leading the group, their Maryland opponents, Severna Park Rage new only a win would secure them a spot in the final. The game started very evenly with the both teams feeling each other out, and then the Rage began to pick up the pace and went in at half time with 1-0 lead. The Fury new they only needed a point from this game to secure the championship berth but a loss would send them home. With 20 minutes to go the changed their shape from a 4-4-2 formation to a 3-4-3 and with 7 minutes remaining it paid off as the Fury equalized. Weston immediately dropped back into their 4-4-2 and maintained good possession to kill the game off and move onto the final.
Sunday afternoon final was against the Northern Virginia Spirit. Finals are always competitive and this was to be no different. The Spirit dominated the first half maintaining very good possession and shape but they could not score. The Fury needed to change their formation at half time to keep a foothold in the game. “I knew if we continued with current game plan if would be hard for us to win this game, but it was a gamble to move to a 4-3-2-1 as we had never played it before. I spoke to the girls and their attitude was very positive so we took it for spin” said Head Coach Alan Foy. The second half was much more even with the fury midfield working very hard. Still neither team could break the deadlock in normal or over time so it meant penalties.
The Fury elected to go first and it was decision that would pay off dividends as they scored the first goal. Weston GK Mary Spring got a good hand to VA first PK but could not keep it out but it raised the Fury’s confidence and they went onto to win the championship.
“This has been a great weekend for us, this group travels very well. I must say that I feel a little fortunate as we did not play well in our final group game and penalties is always a lottery. But I truly don’t mind if we are a lucky team!”
