MUTINY 1, AZTEC U-23 2
NORTHAMPTON, MA (05/15/10) - In front of a crowd of over 1,200 at Northampton High School on a cool but beautiful early summer night, the visiting Boston Aztec U-23 (1-0 WPSL Northeast) fed off their two first half tallies as they held off a furious New England Mutiny (0-1 WPSL Northeast) comeback in the second half for a 2-1 win in each team’s Summer 2010 opener. Shayla Bergeron (University at Albany) and Tori McCombs (University of Michigan) would score in the first and final minutes of the first stanza, while the Mutiny’s Sarah Brochu would convert in the 54th minute for the final score-line.
“It was kind of a tale of two halves,” said Mutiny Head Coach Lauren Molinaro. “The first half was frantic, crazy and I think that’s because we’re still trying to get used to each other. In the second half, we were settled, we played good soccer, we competed, we anticipated… so, the result is unfortunate. Its tough to lose any game, especially the first one of the season but from what I saw in the second half, I’m excited. I think we can take the good things - throw out the bad - and its going to be a great season.”
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“I thought it was hard-fought victory,” said Aztec U-23 Head Coach Dushwane Simpson. “Overall, I’m really pleased. I thought the girls did really well against a strong Mutiny side. Tonight was a beautiful night… the atmosphere with the Mutiny is always great. They pack ‘em in and there’s always a great crowd. Its always a special night playing New England on the road.”
Taking advantage of the prevailing wind, Aztec U-23 jumped on the New England defense early before they could get in gear, forcing a giveaway that Bergeron would pounce upon and chip her shot over the onrushing goalkeeper Jackie Fede (6 saves). The speedy Boston attack - led by the play of Cat Walker - would harass the Mutiny’s defense as the first half wore on.
Walker would unleash a rocket in the 41st minute, forcing Fede into a great save that she tipped wide of the right post. However, the San Diego State star would set up the eventual game-winner in the final minute of the half, delivering a nice pass to McCombs who cooly finished over the dive of Fede for the 2-0 lead going into half-time.
Walker would have a golden opportunity to put Aztec U-23 up by a commanding 3-0 lead in the 50th minute, but her her 1 v. 1 opportunity against Fede would fly over the cross bar. Sputtering early on in the match, the New England offense would get a kick start in the substitution of Brochu on the left flank into the match midway through the first stanza, almost converting on a through-ball from UMass’ Therese Smith in the 37th minute.
In the 54th minute, nice build-up play up the right flank from U.S. U-17 National Team member Riley Houle would get the home side into scoring position. A cross from former University of Rhode Island star Deb Nelson found Brochu coming off the left flank, and after a quick 1 v. 1 battle with an Aztec defender, the Minnechaug R.H.S. standout rifled her shot above Boston goalkeeper Jillian Mastroianni (4 saves) and underneath the crossbar for the 2-1 score.
From there, it was one-way traffic for the Mutiny, as they settled into a rhythm on the field while the home crowd began to vociferously cheer on the team. Mastroianni would make a pivotal save off a Jenny Maurer shot in the 60th minute, while in the 78th minute, the U.S. U-23 National Team member got the help of a back save off a Lauren Aldred header (University of Hartford) from a Mary-Frances Monroe corner kick.
In the end, Walker would have the next great scoring chance in the 82nd minute, and her team would go on to get the crucial early season road win, leaving the big crowd at Northampton High School with a long ride home. Aztec U-23 out-shot New England by a 12-8 margin.
Next home match for the Mutiny will be at Fermi H.S. in Enfield, CT, as they host the Maine Tide on Saturday, May 22nd at 7:05 p.m. After that, they take the road for two matches before making their home premiere at Chicopee Comprehensive H.S. on Sunday, June 13th at 5:00 p.m. against Seacoast United.