BEVERLY, MA (06/19/10) - The Saturday afternoon Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) match between the Boston Aztec Breakers Reserves (5-0-1 WPSL East-Northeast) and the New England Mutiny (2-1-3 WPSL East-Northeast) at Endicott College lived up to the billing of No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the Northeast Division.

The Aztecs' Leah Blayney notched her league-leading ninth goal of the season in the 36th minute, only to have the Mutiny's Riley Houle save the 1-1 draw for the visitors with a goal in the 87th minute.

"Tough match today in the heat... against a really quality opponent," said Boston Aztec Head Coach Mike Kersker.

The Aztecs opened the game on the attack, pressuring the Mutiny backline but failed to put any quality shots on goal. The first quality chance of the match came from the Mutiny in the 26th minute when Houle beat the Aztec defender and went in on goal. Aztec goalkeeper on loan from the Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) Allison Lipsher made a point blank save on the shot and recovered to make a second save on the rebound.

The Aztecs capitalized on their first quality chance when Blayney received a pass at the top of the 18-yard box from Barrie Lindsay. Blayney hit a hard, rising shot that beat Mutiny goalkeeper Jackie Fede.

In the second half, the Aztecs were limited to only a few quality opportunities by the Mutiny backline. In the 63rd minute, the Aztecs were awarded a free kick outside the box. Blayney struck a shot on goal which hit the crossbar and went over the net. In the 74th minute, Blayney stepped up to a nearly identical free kick but this time, Mutiny goalkeeper Julie Arroyo tipped the ball over the crossbar.

The Mutiny were penetrating deeper into the Aztec half of the field as the game wore on, but the back line of the Aztec defense anchored in the middle by Japanese National Team member Yuka Miyazaki and former Mutiny star Rebekah Splaine held off the attacks. In the 87th minute, the Mutiny broke the Aztecs' 547-minute long shutout streak.

Sarah Brochu played a through-ball to Houle, who slotted the ball low past Aztec goalkeeper Rebecca Ritchie. In the remaining minutes of the game, both teams ventured into each other goal boxes but could not put any shots of goal.

Next up for the New England Mutiny is the rubber match against the Connecticut Passion (2-2-1 WPSL East-Northeast), with the two opponents battling to a 1-1 draw at Reece Stadium on June 9th. Kick-off at Chicopee Comprehensive High School for this important Northeast Division match with post-season implications will be at 7:05 p.m. this Saturday, June 26th.

Scoring Summary:
AZTEC: Blayney (Lindsay) 36’
MUTINY: Houle (Brochu) 83’

Saves:
AZTEC: Lipsher (4)
AZTEC: Ritchie (3)
MUTINY: Fede (5)
MUTINY: Arroyo (5)

Misconduct Summary:
AZTEC: Habenicht (yellow)

About the New England Mutiny: The New England Mutiny are a charter member of the WPSL East Conference, winning five East titles while reaching the WPSL National Final on two occasions. For more information on the team, please visit http://www.mutinysoccer.com or send an e-mail to info@mutinysoccer.com. AAA (American Automobile Association) of Pioneer Valley is the Official Team Sponsor of the Mutiny for the Summer 2010 season. Visit their website by clicking HERE to receive a quote on auto, home, life, business, long-term care insurance and more!

RELATED LINK:

• N.E. Soccer News - Match Report

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