Mutiny ends season on a high note with 5-1 win over Aztec F.C.

Date: 7/16/2014

EAST LONGMEADOW – The New England Mutiny brushed off the disappointment of their last two road defeats and came out with a dominating performance in their 2014 home finale against long-time division rival Aztec F.C. at East Longmeadow High School.

University of Connecticut forward Julie Hubbard scored two goals and the eventual game-winning tally in the 10th minute of the match en route to a 5-1 win for the Mutiny.

The victory ends the season for New England in the “Group Of Death” of the WPSL with a 4-4-2 record. The professional Boston Breakers Reserves won the 2014 New England Division with a 9-0-1 record and will go on to represent the division in the East Conference playoffs next weekend. While this season has been a disappointment for the Mutiny – for only the second time in the 15-year team history they will miss the playoffs – the team didn’t hold anything back in pursuit of a win against Aztec F.C.

To start the scoring, New England veteran Meghan Cunningham one-timed her finish past Aztec goalkeeper Brooke Heinsohn in the sixth minute. Central Connecticut State University forward Tori Sousa broke down the right flank and sent in a low, lateral cross that Cunningham rocketed into the upper corner of the goal. Four minutes later, Hubbard deftly and skillfully deposited her goal off another one-time finish from a Cunningham cross, this time from the left flank for the 2-0 score.

Aztec didn’t bow down easily, as Lauren Bernard fired a free kick from the top of the penalty area that Mutiny goalkeeper Alison Saucier couldn’t corral in the 12th minute to cut the lead to 2-1. New England would grab hold of the run of play again after the Aztec goal. Right before the end of the first half, Kacey Richards sent Kylee McIntosh in on goal with a cheeky chip over the Aztec defense. McIntosh would turn and finish for the insurance goal and give the Mutiny the 3-1 lead going into halftime.

The second half would be an exercise in ball control for the home side, and in the 60th minute, local star Jenna Fisher made a great, darting run down the right flank towards the Aztec goal. The Boston University midfielder would finish smartly inside the far post for the 4-1 score. Hubbard would get her second goal of the night in the 83rd minute, ending the scoring in the emphatic 5-1 win. Even with the scoreline, Heinsohn was a rock in goal for the visitors, making 11 saves on 21 shots from the Mutiny.

The 2014 home finale was also “AAA Night” as a lucky fan had the chance to win a $500 travel voucher from the team’s primary sponsor. Nolan Ball was the winner of the travel voucher.

Stay tuned as the New England Mutiny will announce their plans for the summer 2015 season in the near future.