N.E. MUTINY 1, TAMPA BAY 1 (NE W on PK's, 5-4) Second verse almost same as first, as WPSL Semifinal nightcap goes to PK's as well

TAMPA, FL (07/28/07) - Like the first National Semifinal at Pepin-Rood Stadium, the match-up pitting the East & South Conference champions would come down to not only who scored more penalty kicks, but who stopped more as well. While the No. 17-internationally ranked New England Mutiny had a battle on their hands with the host team of the 2007 Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Final Four in the Tampa Bay Elite, it was the feet of their goalkeeper who took control as the East champs won in a 5-4 shootout, after a 1-1 draw at the end of overtime.

At Pepin-Rood Stadium in front of a crowd of over 1,500, University of Connecticut star & rising Canadian international Stephanie Labbe lived it all on this night. With one glove, Labbe witnessed her college & club team-mate Meghan Schnur put New England on the board in the 6th minute on a penalty kick - after Lauren Molinaro was fouled on a corner kick by Mary-Frances Monroe.

But on the other glove, the Alberta native would give up a penalty herself with 15 minutes left in the first half via a defensive gaffe that very well could have shook her confidence. Tampa Bay's Lindsay Brauer would hammer home the penalty and the game would stay at 1-1 for the remaining of regulation and overtime.

Late in the second half, though, it was Labbe who came to the Mutiny's rescue as she sprinted out of net to intercept a Brauer one-on-one breakaway and her kick save would put the ball out of harm's reach. Both 15-minute overtime periods would run their course until with four minutes remaining, a free kick by Schnur would find defender Karyn Riviere but her header would sail just over the crossbar.

It was then on to penalty kicks and it appeared to be one of those nights for the four-time East champs. First, long-time midfield stalwart and Mutiny charter member Jenny Maurer would miss her try and then with the match on the line, Schnur would fire her attempt wide to push the shootout to one-and-done.

Labbe would once again rise to the occasion as took and converted the next PK for New England and would then save the Elite's last attempt by Paulina McIntosh. Rising UConn freshman Meghan Cunningham would step up to the penalty spot and finish off the WPSL Semifinal win for the Mutiny, who now will face F.C. Indiana and their all-encompassing keeper Kristin Luckenbill for the National Championship tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.

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