Mutiny Beat Fever 2-1

Kate Howarth and Becca Mays led the Mutiny to a comeback win over the Philadelphia Fever Saturday night at East Longmeadow High School.

Myriam Bouchard opened the account in the 11th minute to give the Fever an early lead. But New England equalized from Howarth’s 22nd minute back-heel, then captured the game-winner from Mays’ 82nd minute header.

“We gave up a difficult goal,” interim Mutiny head coach Chris Legates said in a post-game release. “But we picked the ball up and put it in midfield and played. Our response was quick and swift and we took over the game at that time.”

With the home crowd behind them, the Mutiny fell behind when Bouchard grabbed a poor clearance and chipped one over Vikki Alonzo to put the visitors on the board in the 11th minute.

The Fever weren’t able to enjoy their lead for long. Eleven minutes after Bouchard’s opening salvo, Vicki DiMartino went to the endline before crossing it through toward Howarth. The striker back-heeled it through to level the terms in the 22nd minute.

New England found chances before the interval, but both teams went into the interval deadlocked. The second half saw the Mutiny hold onto the ball, but were kept at bay by the Fever defense going into the final 10 minutes.

But in the 82nd minute, Mays, who came on as a substitute only two minutes prior, the Mutiny leapfrogged the Fever. From the right flank, Howarth crossed it far post to Mays, who headed it through for the game-winner.

“I was very, very happy for Becca Mays today because she has been training very, very well,” Legates said. “To have that reward of scoring the winning goal is a tribute to how hard she’s worked.”

Next up for the Mutiny is a Jun. 9 match against the Western New York Flash at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester, N.Y. Game time is 7pm.