Report: Red Star 1, Royals 6

Royals cruise to pre-season victory in Montreal
April 16, 2007

Ottawa Royals opened their pre-season with a resounding 6-1 victory over Montreal’s Red Star at Parc Dollard des Ormeaux yesterday. The scorers for the Royals were Viscosi, Rochon, Devereaux (2), MacMIllan and Dennis.

On a bitterly cold afternoon, Ottawa started brightly against their Quebec opposition, with the 3-5-2 formation allowing Rochon, Kowlessar and Morgan to combine well in midfield and release Boyle and Mapendere on the flanks.

Somewhat against the run of play, Red Star took the lead on 11 minutes. In a swirling wind, goalkeeper Tyler Wallace failed to clear his lines properly, shanking the ball straight at Dominic Rochon who was 10 yards out outside the box. Rochon was unable to control and lost the ball to a Red Star midfielder, who promptly controlled and lobbed the stranded Wallace from the edge of the area.

Ottawa continued to control the game and refused to panic. On 25 minutes, the quick passing game opened up Red Star’s defence once again. Peter Mapendere, playing on the left side of midfield, cut inside his defender and hit a rasping half volley from distance, which the keeper could only parry. The ball fell to Marc-Anthony Viscosi, who reacted first and finished coolly.

Four minutes later, the Royals were in front. Mapendere was again provider, his pass setting up Rochon, who curled the ball superbly over the goalkeeper into the roof of the net.

The Royals continued to make the difficult conditions work for them, playing the ball well along the ground and keeping their shape reasonably well.

In the second half, the Royals played with the wind and took control of the game. Ryan Devereaux was dangerous whenever he received the ball - and on 50 minutes, he scored his first goal for the club. Once again, the ball was worked well from midfield out to the left. Dan Deganutti, who had replaced Mapendere at half time, beat his man and put in a great cross from the left, which Devereaux met with his instep and guided into the bottom corner of the net.

Three minutes later, James MacMillan soared like a salmon to meet Deganutti’s corner from the right, angling his powerful header downwards past the stranded goalkeeper.

Ottawa was fully in control now and the back three of MacMillan, Azerizghi and Edgar were giving themselves time to spray the ball out well from the back. On 65 minutes, Jeff Dennis made a good run into the box and met Devereaux’s fine cross, controlling the ball into the left-hand corner of the net.

Ottawa finished its scoring on 71 minutes, when Devereaux scored his second goal with a deft header from an excellent Koutras cross from the right.

It was an encouraging performance from Ottawa – especially in the first half and early in the second, when the teamwork was very solid. With a few players playing out of position (Mapendere and Viscosi), the shape of the team became all-important.

Statistics

Man of the Match: Steve Kowlessar – 3 points; Dom Rochon – 2 points; Ryan Devereaux – 1 point.

Ottawa Royals
Wallace; MacMillan, Edgar (Labrom, 60), Zegers (Azerizghi 46); Boyle (Koutras 46), Rochon, Kowlessar, Morgan (Lyttle 46), Mapendere (Deganutti 46); Viscosi (Dennis 46), Dennis (Devereaux 35)
Substitutes: Devereaux, Koutras, Deganutti, Labrom, Azerizghi, Lyttle

Goals: Viscosi, 25 (Mapendere assist); Rochon, 29 (Mapendere assist); Devereaux, 50 (Deganutti assist); MacMillan, 53 (Deganutti assist); Dennis, 67 (Devereaux assist); Devereaux, 71 (Koutras assist)

Pre-season Tally:
Goals: Devereaux 2; Dennis, MacMillan, Rochon, Viscosi 1
Assists: Deganutti 2, Mapendere 2; Devereaux, Koutras 1