WPSL Elite New York Fury Win Over New England Mutiny

May 15, 2012 - PRLog -- An explosive New York Fury side scored two quick goals to open their Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Elite Leauge match against New England Mutiny and coasted to a 5-1 victory on Saturday, May 12. The win spoiled New England’s home opener in the WPSL Elite League’s first weekend, as the Mutiny felt the absence of several key players. With several experienced members of the Mutiny defense missing due to National Teams commitments, Fury took full advantage of the situation.

Fury head coach Paul Riley’s women wasted little time opening scoring as Merritt Mattias beat an offside trap, collected a feed from Meghan Lenczyk and slotted a shot past Mutiny goalkeeper Jennifer Bannon in the seventh minute of play. Minutes later Mattias provided the service to Jasmyne Spencer for a 2-0 lead and then scored her second at the 25-minute mark with an assist from Tina DiMartino. Before the first half ended, Mattias would complete a hat trick to give Fury a 4-0 lead going into the half.

While it did not look promising for New England, head coach Tony Horta would not let his women give up, and his halftime talk sent Mutiny out with more fire. Forward Kate Howarth led the attack for the home team, working off and over the ball to create several scoring chances, but Fury keeper Michelle Betos was up for the task and kept the clean sheet intact.

In the 74th minute New York’s Lenczyk got her first goal of the season on an assist from Karin Simonian for a 5-0 lead. New England refused to bow, and a minute later recent signee Tiya Gallegos converted on a rebound from a Howarth shot to break the plane of the goal for Mutiny’s first goal of the season.

Afterwards both Riley and Horta talked about the match and their teams. "I thought [Howarth] was excellent," said Horta about his athletic forward. "I think we're going to see a lot of her. I gave her the freedom to exploit those places that she likes to go into. We need to get a player that can complement her with her speed and with being interchangeable."

"I thought we got a little flat after the first goal, we got a little confused," Horta admitted. "But I thought the second half with the information we gave them, they took it well. We made some adjustments and the game was even. So, if you take the first half away and you evaluate the second half, it was an even match."

"It was a very good 45 minutes, and I think with another few weeks of hard training we will be able to put in a full 90 minutes," said Riley. “I was pleased with our young forward line. Both recent college graduates, Jaz Spencer and Merritt Mattias, caused tremendous problems to the Mutiny back line. It was a night for Merritt to remember and she will continue to grow from every experience."

Discussing the relative progress of the two sides, Riley said, "I think both teams will improve over the next month, and for many players it was a valuable 90 minutes to get under their belts. When Mutiny get all their players in and coach Tony Horta has time to work with them, they will be a dangerous team. We will get back on the training field, and now we have a starting point. We have a lot to improve and work on.”

New York Fury will take on state rivals Western New York Flash in Rochester on Saturday, May 19, before celebrating their home opener at Hofstra University on Wednesday, May 23, against Boston Breakers. New England Mutiny will host ASA Chesapeake Charge on Saturday and then will hit the road the next day for a Sunday, May 20, match against Philadelphia Fever.

About the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL):
The Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) is the largest national Women’s Soccer League in the world. With more than 70-plus women’s soccer teams, the WPSL is the leading amateur soccer league in America. The league is sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) as an affiliate of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). The WPSL's mission is to provide opportunities to further the women’s soccer game for the aspiring professional, international-level players and passionate amateurs. The WPSL season brings affordable and quality family entertainment to the community, displays positive role models for our youth and offers the essential connection between youth and pro women’s soccer in America.

About the WPSL Elite League:
With the addition of three former Women's Professional Soccer teams, the WPSL Elite League is now the highest level women's soccer league in America. The leage features eight teams: Former WPS franchises Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, and 2011 WPS Champion Western New York Flash; WPSL teams  ASA Chesapeake Charge, FC Indiana, New England Mutiny and New York Fury; and the independant Philadelphia Fever

For more information please visit  Http://www.WPSL.info or email Media@WPSL.info