Fury Defeats Massachusetts, 2-1, to Qualify for WPSL Playoffs

(July 16, 2006, Fall River, Massachusetts)-Playing in 90 degree heat 17 hours after losing to the New England Mutiny, there was no stopping the Long Island Fury today as they defeated the Massachusetts Stingers, 2-1, to qualify for the Women's Premier Soccer League playoffs.

The 6-2-2 Fury will play at the 6-1-2 Atlantic City Diablos on the Jersey shore next Friday night, July 21.

In today's 2-1 victory over Massachusetts, Shannon Donovan of Melville scored off a corner kick in the 20th minute from an assist by Irish international Marie Curtin.

After Massachusetts equalized, Curtin bended it like Beckham from 14 yards off an assist from Emily Sammis of Huntington in the 74th minute.

Laura Elser, making her debut for the Fury in goal, made three saves.

"I thought we were brilliant. We dominated the match but we just couldn't put them away," commented Fury head coach Paul Riley. "I thought that captain Mary Schneck was the MVP as she was all over the field today."