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Goals continue to elude New England against Breakers Academy

Date: 6/12/2014

EAST LONGMEADOW – The New England Mutiny (1-2-1 Women’s Premier Soccer League, WPSL, New England) faced off against the Boston Breakers Academy (1-1-1 WPSL New England) at East Longmeadow High School in a vital divisional encounter on June 8, and had to settle for a  0-0 draw.

The home side came out of the gates brightly and with intent but a stifling performance from the Boston defense particularly goalkeeper Paige Burnett (eight saves) in net frustrated the New England offense.

“Its pretty frustrating,” Mutiny head coach Roy Gurnon, as his team has only scored one goal in their past three matches. “We were making all the wrong decisions at the wrong times when we went forward. We knocked the ball around a lot but when it came time to put someone in on goal we just couldn't execute.”

After briefly holding the run of play to start the match, the Breakers Academy began to fall back as the Mutiny started to turn the screw. The build-up play of the team’s offense culminated midway through the first half, as in the 22nd minute, Kate Howarth’s shot forced a brilliant diving save from Burnett.

The Northeastern University keeper tipped Howarth’s shot off the crossbar and out of play for a corner kick. Sonia Basma would test Burnett with her best scoring opportunity of the half just a minute later. In all, the Mutiny racked up six high quality shots on goal and seven corner kicks on the Breakers Academy defense in the first half.

The second half would not start as brightly as the first for the Mutiny. It would take until the 56th minute for the home side offense to test Burnett, and she made a solid save on Howarth's free kick taken from outside the penalty area. Julia Weithofer would also test the Boston keeper in the 74th minute, but her shot from the top of the area was corralled.

After a late corner kick in the 82nd minute by the Mutiny, the Breakers Academy would hold on the rest of the game for the 0-0 draw. After going on the road for their next two matches, New England will return home to East Longmeadow High School on June 28. The team will host the New Hampshire Phantoms (2-2-0 WPSL New England) for a 7 p.m. kickoff.