Roundup: Mutiny, Phantoms Win

WPSL Side Clinches Playoff Berth

July 16, 2009

A week ago, the New England Mutiny needed to win its last two games - and get help from other teams - to qualify for the WPSL playoffs.

Well, it all came together, culminating in Tuesday�s 5-1 road win over Bay State Select. The Mutiny earned the eighth and final playoff berth in WPSL East, and are scheduled to travel to Adirondack for a first round showdown with the Lynx Saturday at 6 p.m.

Bay State took the lead nine minutes in, but the Mutiny took a 2-1 lead into the half on goals from Megan Cunningham and Sam Fortier in the 34th and 38th minutes, respectively.

Becky Wise scored five minutes into the second half to give New England some breathing room, and Cunningham and Devan Boundy added goals for good measure.

The New Hamphire Phantoms, playing their last PDL road game of the season at the Rhode Island Stingrays, stormed to a 4-0 lead before settling for a 4-3 win Wednesday.

The Phantoms took the lead in the 38th minute when T.J. Thompson controlled the ball outside the 18-yard line and put in his shot. One minute later, Dan Hernandez made it 2-0 when he connected on a corner from teammate Joe Annese.

In the 57th minute, Hernandez got his second goal when he broke in all alone on a through ball from Thompson, increasing the Phantoms� lead to 3-0. James Earle finished the visitors� scoring on a 75th minute breakaway.

Rhode Island put on a shooting display over the game�s final 10 minutes, scoring their three goals from long range with shots that Phantoms keeper Tim Murray didn�t have a chance to get to. Jonathan Pereira (minute 81), Matt Marcin (85�) and Michael Trobagis (89�) all scored for the Stingrays, but their comeback attempt came up a goal short.

�All game long we did a good job in closing them down by not giving them quality shots,� said New Hampshire coach Jim Dedeus. �After being up 4-0 we relaxed a little too much, and that�s what happens when you give your opponent the opportunity to fire away at will.�

The Phantoms, 3-8-3 and unbeaten in their last three games, will close out their 2009 season with home games on Saturday against the Newark Express at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday with Long Island Rough Riders at 4 p.m. Both games are being played at Southern New Hampshire University.

The Stingrays play their season finale at home (Rhode Island College) Saturday at 7 p.m. against Westchester.