Mutiny Complete Puzzle

Bring Back Labbe, Final Player from '07

April 9, 2008

The New England Mutiny resigned the final piece to the puzzle, inking goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe for the 2008 season and ensuring the team will return all 21 players from a squad that made it to the WPSL National Championship Finals.

The defending East Goalkeeper of the Year started all 12 regular season matches for the Mutiny last season, compiling a 9-0-3 record with eight shutouts and a 0.37 goals-against average.

The Mutiny were preparing to enter the 2008 campaign without the services of Labbe, but recent developments may allow her to play more than anticipated. Labbe is currently vying for a position with the Canadian women’s national team which is currently playing qualifiers for this summer’s Olympics.

With Canada's qualification for the Olympics not an absolute cinch or her selection for the active 18 assured either, Labbe needed a contingency plan to remain ready if called upon to perform for her country.

“My coaches want me to be sharp should I not be on the trip to China, so I need to get games in when I am not with the national team,” Labbe said.

The Canadian players who are not on the active 18 for China will be training throughout the summer in Vancouver, British Columbia. Labbe definitely had options to play elsewhere with several WPSL teams closer to Vancouver on the West Coast and other amateur teams in Canada, but instead chose to make coast-to-coast flights when possible to be with the Mutiny again this season.

“It just wouldn't feel right signing with another team,” she said. “This team is like my family and I want to be a part of it this summer. I couldn't ask for anyone different to play for and I just hope that I can make a good enough commitment to make it happen.”

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