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Saint Louis Stuns Ottawa at Death

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 04/01/17, 10:34PM EDT

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Sellout crowd of 5,566 sees STLFC notch dramatic late victory


Photo courtesy Mark Guthrel / Saint Louis FC

FENTON, Mo. – Saint Louis FC grabbed a dramatic late winner in a 3-2 victory against USL newcomer Ottawa Fury FC in front of a sellout crowd of 5,566 at Toyota Stadium – Saint Louis after losing an early two-goal lead. The game got off to a roaring start as Christian Volesky first opened his account for Saint Louis, and then set up Mats Bjurman for a second less than 10 minutes into the contest. Fury FC hit back as Gerardo Bruna found Eddie Edward for a finish on a near-post corner in the 11th minute, but Saint Louis carried more of the play for the remainder of the half to remain ahead at the break. Fury FC began to press early in the second half, and Eddie Edward had a low shot from the center of the penalty area well-saved by Saint Louis’ Devala Gorrick as it came through traffic. Gorrick made another big save to deny Ramon Martin del Campo on the hour-mark, but was unable to deny an equalizer with seven minutes to go as Onua Obasi placed a shot through a forest of bodies that just squeaked in. Saint Louis grabbed victory at the death, however, as Max Alvarez’s clipped finish was turned into his own net by Sergio Manesio for the winner with two minutes to go.

Scoring: 
5’ – STL – Christian Volesky (Milan Petosevic)
9’ – STL – Mats Bjurman (Christian Volesky)
11’ – OTT – Eddie Edward (Gerardo Bruna)
83’ – OTT – Onua Obasi
88’ – STL – Own Goal (Sergio Manesio)

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. After a quiet opening game of the season in Louisville, new Saint Louis FC forward Christian Volesky couldn’t have had a better start to his home debut with a goal and assist in the opening 10 minutes that will have immediately endeared himself to the hometown fans. STLFC’s energy to start the game was impressive, and appeared to catch Ottawa cold in its first game in the USL, as the packed house at Toyota Stadium – Saint Louis had the stadium rocking early.

  • 2. Ottawa got exactly what it needed to settle itself with Eddie Edwards' finish from Gerardo Bruna's corner kick shortly after Saint Louis’ second goal, but the visitors didn’t really come to life until the second half. When Fury FC got the bit between its teeth, however, it began to pepper Saint Louis’ goal with numerous efforts that finally paid off when Onua Obasi found the net with a curling finish. Its hopes of an opening victory in the USL were dashed, though, as Saint Louis’ sucker-punch finish left Fury FC empty-handed.

  • 3. Saint Louis looked as though it would be very happy to settle for a point when Ottawa’s second goal of the night went in, but thanks to one final lung-busting run by Christian Volesky, the side was able to send home the capacity crowd happy. The goal was somewhat fortuitous as Volesky found Max Alvarez overlapping him into the penalty area, and the former Sacramento Republic FC winger’s finish found the net via Ottawa defender Sergio Manesio, but that will be of little concern to anyone in Saint Louis’ corner as it marked its home opener with a win.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Christian Volesky, Saint Louis FC – Volesky had a goal and assist in his home debut for STLFC, and also played a key role in the late winner as Preki earned his first win the club’s Head Coach.

Upcoming Games:
Saint Louis FC
vs. New York Red Bulls II – April 8, 8:30 p.m. ET, Toyota Stadium – Saint Louis
Ottawa Fury FC at Tampa Bay Rowdies – April 8, 7:30 p.m. ET, Al Lang Stadium

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