What goal-scoring problems?

After scoring just once through its first three matches of the North American Soccer League season, Ottawa Fury FC exploded offensively Saturday afternoon, handing the Carolina RailHawks a 4-0 loss.

A hat trick by Brazilian midfielder/forward Oliver gave the Fury all the goals it needed and then some against a RailHawks squad that never stood a chance.

In fact, Ottawa dominated Carolina so much at times it had a few people wondering where all the talk of Carolina being a powerhouse side was coming from.

Every time Carolina gained possession, Ottawa suffocated them, giving them nearly no room to move the ball through a stingy Ottawa midfield and four defenders who made Ottawa goalkeeper Devala Gorrick’s job pretty easy.

Actually, Gorrick’s new white kit was nearly spotless following the match as the keeper faced just one shot on target from Carolina.

While thrilled with the lopsided victory, Fury coach Marc Dos Santos wasn’t surprised. He sensed it was just a matter of time before the expansion franchise kicked it into a new gear. He said the confidence of the players never wavered following losses to Fort Lauderdale and Minnesota and Wednesday’s scoreless draw against Edmonton.

“We know what we’re building, we know what we’re doing, we know what we’re capable of and today we were able to put everything on the field,” Dos Santos said.

The offensive explosion started in the 34th minute when Oliver headed home a perfect cross from forward Philippe Davies to send Ottawa into halftime up 1-0. The first half was easily Ottawa’s best of the season — at least until the second half began.

Davies was rewarded in the 56th minute when he knocked home a ball that skidded through the entire Carolina penalty box to put the home side up a deuce. The tally also seemed to rattle Carolina, who certainly didn’t want to be the first team to lose to the new club. But they had no answers for Oliver, playing on the left flank as Dos Santos shuffled his starting 11, as he added goals in the 63rd and 72nd minutes.

“The team played very well today,” said Oliver, not wanting to take all of the credit but having a difficult time wiping a smile off his face. “We worked a lot for this day and we’re very happy.”

The 21-year-old Brazilian also had some extra support in the stands Saturday.

“My family came from Brazil and I’m very happy to score and dedicate those goals to them,” Oliver said.

His three goals tie him atop the NASL leader board with Carolina striker Zack Shilawski, who was completely shut down by the Fury Saturday. The win also allowed Ottawa to jump to 4th spot in the league table behind New York, Minnesota and Carolina.

The outpouring of goals came without top striker Tom Heinemann — still on the shelf with ankle injury — in the lineup and should load the Fury up with confidence as they head to Edmonton this week to play the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship on Wednesday.

“Now we’re going in very strong on Wednesday and I’m sure we can win there too,” Oliver said.

But with the club back at training Monday, Dos Santos was going to give the players some time to enjoy the victory.

“These guys deserve the win, this group of players deserves this day,” the coach said.

The loss snapped a five-game unbeaten streak for Carolina — the overall points leader in 2013 — going back to last season.

NOTES, QUOTES FROM SIDELINES

Fury FC was buoyed by the return of midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic, who missed the last two games with a knee injury. Sinisa was a dangerous player all night, finding great chemistry with the forward corps of Oliver, Carl Haworth and Philippe Davies. He said he was happy to get back to it. "We dominated for most of the game and tonight's win was well-deserved," Ubiparipovic said. "Every single player (gave) their 100 % effort and it was a great team effort." ... Ottawa lost defender Maykon to injury in the 43rd minute Saturday. He was replaced by Ramon Soria, who made his Fury FC competitive debut. Makyon's status for Wednesday's match in Edmonton was known following the game ... Omar Jarun, who missed the match against Edmonton after being kicked in the eye against Minnesota, returned to the lineup Saturday, replacing defender Andres Fresenga in the 61st minute.

chris.hofley@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @chrishofley

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