SPRINGFIELD, MA (02/29/12) - The New England Mutiny are pleased to announce that they have hired Kristin Shaw as General Manager for the 2012 season. For this upcoming campaign, the team has made the upgrade to WPSL Elite - the top tier of competition in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) - and the current Smith College Head Coach & former Mutiny standout has been put in charge to lead the organization.

"I want to thank [Team Owner] Joe Ferrara for the opportunity to become the General Manager of the New England Mutiny," said Shaw. "I am very excited to once again be apart of the Mutiny family. This is an incredible opportunity with an unbelievable organization. I could not be more excited to begin this journey.

"There is a definite standard for excellence here with the Mutiny, and I look forward to working with the entire staff to continue that tradition."

MUTINY HIRE FAMILIAR FACE AS HEAD COACH
Tony Horta returns to the New England bench for the 2012 WPSL Elite season
SPRINGFIELD, MA (03/02/12) - The New England Mutiny are pleased to announce that Tony Horta (pictured right) has been named Head Coach for their 2012 season competing in Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Elite. Horta returns to the New England bench after a two-year absence, when he guided the team for three seasons from 2007-2009.

"I am very excited to welcome Tony Horta back to the Mutiny family," said Mutiny General Manager Kristin Shaw, who worked under Horta as a player for the 2007 & 2008 seasons. "Tony is an outstanding coach and a fantastic addition to the organization. He has been successful at every stop during his career, including leading the New England Mutiny to two straight WPSL National Championship appearances.

"His proven track record as a leader speaks volumes and I am confident he will guide the Mutiny in a positive direction."

Horta oversaw what could arguably be the most successful run in team history in the 2007 & 2008 seasons, when the team won 20 matches while losing only four & drawing three (overall record: 25-11-3). New England qualified for the WPSL National Championship in both those campaigns, losing to F.C. Indiana in the 2007 Final. Tony will be able to make up for that loss this summer, as FCI are also a part of the newly-formed WPSL Elite League.

During his tenure, Horta was named the 2007 WPSL East Coach Of The Year and many of his Mutiny players would also reel in the accolades. He coached five players who were named All-WPSL (Meghan Schnur, Stephanie Labbe, Erin O'Grady, Mary-Frances Monroe & Jenny Maurer) including Labbe who was named 2007 WPSL East Goalkeeper Of The Year & 2008 WPSL East Player Of The Year Monroe as well.

Horta will be put right to work as tryouts for the 2012 New England Mutiny WPSL Elite Roster will be held on Saturday, March 10th (6:00 PM) at American International College. Players must PRE-REGISTER to attend. For more information, contact the team by e-mail at Info@MutinySoccer.com or by phone at (413) 330-9775. Stay tuned as we will announce the full coaching staff for the 2012 season soon.

Horta coached at the collegiate level for the Quinnipiac women's soccer team for nine years, developing a nationally-ranked program while winning three Northeast-10 Conference Championships while being named Conference Coach of the Year in 1994. Tony was an assistant for the nationally-ranked women's programs at the University of Connecticut (under Len Tsantiris) and the University of Hartford (under Austin Daniels).

Horta has been involved with the Connecticut Olympic Development Program (ODP) and serves on the CJSA Premier Board of Governors. Tony is President of Academica Futebol Club (AFC), a premier program in Connecticut. He has also coached at the professional level and in 1987, was named Coach of the Year in the LASA league. Most recently, he guided Academica F.C. in the Arena Soccer League (ASL).

About the New England Mutiny: The New England Mutiny are a charter member of the WPSL East Conference, winning five East titles while reaching the WPSL National Final on two occasions. The Mutiny will compete in WPSL Elite in 2012, competing against the Boston Breakers, Aztec MA, WNY Flash, Chicago Red Stars, F.C. Indiana, ASA Chesapeake and the Philadelphia Fever. For more information on the team, please visit http://www.MutinySoccer.com or send an e-mail to Info@MutinySoccer.com. AAA (American Automobile Association) of Pioneer Valley is the Official Team Sponsor of the Mutiny. Visit their official website at http://www.pioneervalley.aaa.com to purchase tickets, book special travel discounts, apply for an auto loan, receive auto insurance discounts and much, much more! You can also follow our team on Twitter and Facebook.