It wasn't a win and there's plenty to work on, but Ottawa Fury FC continued to improve in a 2-2 draw against Syracuse University Saturday night in Gatineau.

Forward Pierre-Rudolph Mayard headed home a corner kick from Nicki Paterson in the 71st minute, the second of two Ottawa goals to be scored off a header Saturday, to tie the game.

While head coach Marc Dos Santos said the two goals against were ones the team can't continue to allow, he was happy overall with the effort.

"You feel that it's growing," the coach said following the Fury's final exhibition match in Canada before heading to Florida to finish camp in Fort Lauderdale on Monday.

Dos Santos wasn't concerned with some of the missed connections, chalking it up to players who continue to get used to each other.

"It's going to take time to get that understanding between some of the players," Dos Santos said.

Ottawa striker Tom Heinemann scored in the first half off a header of his own -- off a great cross from Carl Haworth -- to knot the game at one after Syracuse had jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute.

The team had several chances, including hitting three posts in the first half, but walked into the intermission down 2-1 to the NCAA visitors thanks to two goals by Syracuse forward Emil Ekblom.

Heinemann said there was "good and bad" to the team's game Saturday.

"We're starting to see some of the things we've been working on (but) I still think we've got a ways to go," said the striker. "We gave up a couple sloppy goals so we'll look to address those issues."

Heinemann said the guys won't dwell on failing to secure the win.

"I think we take the positives, address the negatives and keep moving forward," he said.

The Fury's starting 11 Saturday was made up of many of the players who will be the go-to guys for the team this year. Richie Ryan looked good in the middle and seems to have developed some chemistry with Sinisa Ubiparipovic, who is one the team's best players when it comes to pure skill.

Ryan got sent off late in the game after he took exception to a tackle by the Syracuse and put his shoulder into him on the way by, knocking the Orange player to the turf.

In a classy move by Dos Santos, Ottawa native and newest signing Kenny Caceros was subbed into the game for the final 10 minutes. Caceros played college soccer for Syracuse.

"It's tough to describe," said Caceros after the game, who said he was happy to have been given the chance to play, even a limited number of minutes, against his former school.

The Fury will have Sunday off before heading to Fort Lauderdale Monday for the rest of training camp and their April 12 season opener.

chris.hofley@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @chrishofley