SPRINGFIELD, MA - 2017 will be the 19th season in operation for the New England Mutiny and in anticipation of their upcoming campaign in the United Women's Soccer (UWS) East Conference, the long-standing organization has announced their first eight signings of the season. New England will welcome back eight returning players including three who were honored with All-UWS and/or All-UWS East honors last year.

The Mutiny open their 2018 season on the road on Friday, May 11th (7:00 PM) when they commence the local derby against the Connecticut Fusion. New England's home opener occurs on Saturday, May 19th (7:00 PM) when they host the Rochester Lancers at East Longmeadow High School. The Mutiny will host the remainder of their home schedule at Agawam High School.

D Lauren Aldrich (Southampton, MA - Troy Univ.)
MF Charlie Branch (Norwich, ENG - CCSU)
MF Brenna Brown (North Salem, NY - Fairfield Univ.)
D Jennifer Cafferky (Boras, SWE - CCSU)
D Brittany Champagne (Suffield, CT - Dartmouth College)
F Kate Howarth (Grand Blanc, MI - Univ. of Miami)
MF Jess Margaretta (Coloniers, FRA - AIC)
D Chantelle Swaby (West Hartford, CT - Rutgers Univ.)

"All of these players have worn Mutiny jerseys with more returnees to follow," said New England Mutiny owner Joe Ferrara, Jr. "Returning players have been the core of this organization for 19 years. We look for players that want to be here and understand what this organization means - on and off the field. In return, we will work tirelessly to help these players achieve their future goals, in and around the game."

This will be Aldrich's second season with the Mutiny, after her fall collegiate season with Troy University where she started in 18 of 20 matches (three points) after her transfer from UMass-Lowell. Lauren appeared in seven matches for New England in 2017 and scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over the New York Magic. The local star was named the 2016 MassLive Female Athlete of the Year as an All-State selection for Hampshire Regional High School.

Branch will be entering her fourth season in a Mutiny uniform. Charlie appeared in seven matches last year for New England and notched a goal in a 2-0 win over the New York Surf. She completed her collegiate career in Fall 2015 for Central Connecticut State University and was a NEWISA Senior Bowl selection. Branch concluded her two-year stint for the Blue Devils as a 2015 All-ECAC Second Team and All-Northeast Conference First Team honoree.

This will be Brown's second season with the Mutiny. In 2017, Brenna appeared in all 10 matches of the season (801 minutes played) and was second on the team in scoring with seven points (three goals, assist). For her efforts, she was selected to the All-UWS Second Team & All-UWS East First Team and also was a two-time UWS Team of the Week honoree. The 2016 All-MAAC Second Team selection ended her Fairfield University career with 41 points (18 goals, five assists).

Cafferky will be entering her third season in a New England uniform. Last summer, Jennifer appeared in nine games and was third on the team in minutes played (729). She was selected to the All-UWS Second Team & All-UWS East First Team alongside Brown and was also named to the UWS Team of the Week (Week VII) as well. This past fall for the CCSU Blue Devils, Cafferky concluded her collegiate career as the first student-athlete in NEC history to garner Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year on four occasions.

Champagne returns for her second season with the Mutiny. In 2017, the former Dartmouth College star was a solid contributor from the start and appeared in eight matches (720 minutes played) and scored her lone goal in a 4-0 win over the New York Magic. Brittany was named to the All-Ivy First Team in her senior season which was her third All-Ivy honor (Second Team - 2015 & 2016). The Suffield, Connecticut, native started all 17 games in Fall 2016 for Dartmouth.

This will be Howarth's sixth season in a New England uniform. The 2017 season turned out to be a record-breaking one as she surpassed former Mutiny star Mary-Frances Monroe on the team's all-time scoring chart. Kate's hat-trick performance in a win over New York put her on top and she finished the season with 10 goals and an assist (career: 42 goals, 13 assist, 97 points). In the UWS scoring race, Howarth tied for third in goals scored (10), fifth in points scored (21) and was a All-UWS East Second Team & multiple UWS Team of the Week selection.

Margaretta will be returning to the Mutiny for her third season, donning the New England uniform in the 2014 and 2016 campaigns. The former American International College star was a member of the Boston Breakers Reserves in 2017. Jess was named to the NE-10 All-Conference Team in all three years of her AIC career (Second Team - 2015). She was a NSCAA All-East Region Second Team selection in her senior season.

This will be Swaby's third season in a New England uniform. Chantelle appeared in three matches last summer for the Mutiny. The rising-junior defender at Rutgers University was called up to the U.S. U-19 Women's National Team this past February, after a Fall 2017 season that saw her get selected to the Big Ten Second Team and United Soccer Coaches All-Region First Team. The West Hartford, CT-native was a force in the top defense in the nation, as Rutgers claimed the NCAA's team titles in GAA, save percentage and shutout percentage.

About United Women's Soccer (UWS): UWS is a national women’s soccer league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer. UWS is a professionally operated league created for teams that meet high minimum standards. The season runs from May until the end of July, culminating in a National Championship match. The UWS player pool is comprised of college players, aspiring & former professionals and international stars. You can follow UWS on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Media can contact UWS Director of Communications Jorma Kansanen by e-mail at UWSPress@gmail.com. You can visit the league’s official website at UWSSoccer.com. Interested team applicants can contact League Commissioner Joe Ferrara, Jr. by e-mail at Joe@UWSSoccer.com.