MUTINY ESCAPE AZTECS 1-0

The New England Mutiny defeated the Boston Aztecs 1-0 in Saturday’s Women’s Premier Soccer League action. Mary-Frances Monroe would score the game’s only goal in the second half of what was truly a well-played WPSL match in 90-plus degree weather.

“We came out in the second half with better intensity and a hard fought win”, stated head coach Tony Horta.
 
The Aztecs had the game’s first opportunity when Catie Whelan blasted a shot from 25 yards out labeled for the lower right corner, but Mutiny goalkeeper Lauren Luckey made the diving save. The Mutiny would get their first scoring opportunity three minutes later when Lauren Molinaro played the ball over the Aztecs defense to Mary-Frances Monroe, but Monroe could only try a one-time chip over charging Aztec keeper Jamie Gillis.
 
The next 20 minutes would see end-to-end action and in the 32nd minute New England would get their best opportunity of the half when Meghan Cunningham collected a ball down the left flank and sent it across the Aztec goalmouth, but just failing to connect with Mutiny forward Karen Gurnon. The best chance of the first half belonged to the Aztecs when in the 42nd minute midfielder Christy McHugh sent forward Eliza Marshall alone down the left flank. Marshall would cross the ball to Jillian Kinter who sent the ball just over the crossbar.
 
The first half remained 0-0.
 
The second half would see more end-to-end action with the Mutiny controlling a bit more of the play. Monroe would tally her goal in the 49th minute on a spectacular individual effort. Collecting the ball in midfield, Monroe would dribble through three Aztecs’ players and unleash a trademark blast from outside the area that eluded Gillis. It would be Monroe’s sixth goal of the season, which leads the WPSL.
 
Lauren Luckey would make 6 saves for her third shutout of the season. The Mutiny would outshoot the Aztecs 14-10.
 
“Although we did not play well in the first half, we stuck together as team, played better in the second half and got a win on the road”, stated Monroe.
 
The Mutiny improves its record to 4-0 while the Aztecs fall to 1-3. The undefeated Mutiny will now host the undefeated SoccerPlus CT Reds on Friday June 13 at 7:30 at Agawam High School. The winner will have sole possession of first place and a leg up on the Northeast Division championship.