Long Island Fury and Long Island Academy Both Kick Off Season With 1-0 Victories

The Fury opened their Women's Premier Soccer League season on May 19 by defeating the Massachusetts Stingers on a 86th minute goal by forward Emily Sammis of Huntington. Her shot from five yards eluded Stingers' keeper Krystal Robens. It was Sammis' sixth shot of the match. The ball had rebounded from the post off a 12-yard shot from Gina DiMartino of Massapequa.

Fury keeper Becky Wachsberger of East Meadow made three saves in recording the shutout. The national champions have gone 445 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal.

In the nightcap, Carlo Espinosa of East Islip, who played for Karlsruher Sport Club in the German Bundesliga, scored the lone goal of the match, giving the Academy a 1-0 victory over Queen City FC of Buffalo. In the 51st minute, Academy midfielder Arman Osooli of Hempstead miskicked a 20-yard shot, which went directly to Espinosa, who volleyed it into the net from seven yards. Academy keeper Billy Gatti of Baldwin recorded the shutout with three saves.

The match was a rough encounter with 57 fouls, six cautions and one ejection. Queen City forward Mark Howlett was sent off in the 90th minute when he tackled Academy forward Maurice Brown from behind on a breakaway.

"To win your first game as a franchise is great," commented Paul Riley, head coach of both the Fury and Academy, "It brings back memories as a player for the Rough Riders in 1994. Our back four was excellent tonight."

The next home game for both teams is Friday night, June 1. The Fury take on the Atlantic City Diablos at 5:30 pm while the Academy play the Diablos' men at 7:45 pm. Because of the unavailability of Mitchel Athletic Complex that night due to the Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged, the games
will be played at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point.