Howarth Scores Twice But Mutiny Tie 3-3

New England’s Kate Howarth scored twice before the interval but Western New York grabbed a late equalizer to secure a 3-3 draw on Sunday at East Longmeadow High School.

Howarth’s strikes in the 4th and 45th minute sandwiched teammate Morgan Andrews’ 25th minute goal in an inspired first half that also saw Adriana (8′) Meghan Klingenberg (20′) score for the guests. Adriana struck again in the 77th minute to help New York earn the draw.

“We were sloppy,” Flash head coach Aaran Lines said in a post-game release. “I was very disappointed in the way we defended in the first half. It was like we came out and expected to beat them and let it take care of itself.”

Matched up against a defense that had only allowed three goals in its first nine, the Mutiny immediately put the Flash on notice in the fourth minute. Becca Mays set up Howarth in front of goal, where the Mutiny striker sent it through to put the hosts up early.

It only took four minutes for the Flash to respond. From the right flank, former Breakers’ midfielder Meghan Klingenberg sent a cross to Adriana, who pounded it through to level the score.

Klingenberg and Adriana traded roles in the 20th minute, with the Spanish striker sending it ahead to her accomplice, who headed it past Mutiny keeper Vikki Alonzo to put the Flash in command.

However, Western New York’s lead was short lived. In the 25th minute, Andrews dribbled past three defenders before uncorking a shot that beat Flash keeper Brittany Cameron.

On the edge of halftime, Andrew menaced the Flash backline again, this time with a pass that found Howarth, who headed it home at the far post to put the hosts back on top.

Sensing that the Flash would be hungry to get one back, the Mutiny defense held together for much of the second half. Alonzo denied Lori Lindsey in the 60th minute, keeping the scoreline in tact.

Then, in the 77th minute, Mutiny midfielder Sarah Brochu was called for a handball inside her 18, and the spot was pointed to. Adriana stepped up and sent it through to level it for good.

After the game, Mutiny head coach Tony Horta, who recently returned from his leave of absence, said he expected a high-scoring game going into the clash.

“Everything with them is based out wide and getting service in with people running into the box,” Horta said in a post-game release. “I thought if we kept our shape and brought on players out wide who took away their width, they would have to go backwards.”

The draw puts the Mutiny’s record at 3-4-2 (11 points), four points back of the New York Fury for the final playoff spot. Coincidentally, the Mutiny will return to action on Jul. 3 against the aforementioned Fury at Hofstra University (Hempstead, NY). Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm.