Wanderers FC Journey Begins with Competitive Road Defeat

The history of Worcester Wanderers FC has just begun to be written. On May 16, 2026, Wanderers hit the road to take on the New England Mutiny powerhouse in their first ever match! Mutiny competes in the UWS, as well as the USL-W, and has been an established presence in the national landscape of women’s soccer for many years. They typically find themselves competing for national championships every year, so this was going to be a tough test for a new Wanderers organization.

Coach Margolis named his first eleven with a lot of experience, mixed with some youth. Maddi Berthoud started as the lone striker and has played at this level for both the Mutiny and another Worcester team, the Fuel, in previous seasons. Nuala Rodgers of Umass Lowell, captained the squad and solidified the midfield, with a strong back line, highlighted by a great centerback partnership in Ava Correnti and Meg Deneen. Claudia Keith started in net and brought in a ton of experience between the pipes.

Mutiny took a strong possessional lead through most of the early minutes, but Berthoud was found on a direct ball in behind and was able to get a great chance off, but the Mutiny keeper stood tall and made a quality save.

Mutiny were able to break the deadlock first after some miscommunication in the back. Wanderers regrouped quickly and through some defensive work and speedy transition, Taylor Devos of Fairfield University, sprung forward from the right back position to get a dangerous ball into the box for Cam Doyle of Saint Anselm, to finish confidently for the first goal in Wanderers history!

Wanderers then defended strongly for large portions of the first half, while looking to build a bit more into the game. Emma Sousa subbed on and made an immediate impact, pressing hard from the front and causing a turnover. From there, Sousa went direct for goal and finished to the far post to put Wanderers up 2-1 at halftime.

Maddie Parrott of Clemson University, took over in net for the second half and was able to make some big saves, claiming a handful of crosses early in the half. Mutiny were able to find the back of the net early on and the second half stayed deadlocked until after the 80th minutes. Wanderers were able to build through the lines more as well, but an unfortunate tackle led to a Mutiny penalty kick that was finished calmly, putting them up 3-2. Tired legs saw a fourth goal find the back of the net with the match finishing 4-2 to the Mutiny. Despite the scoreline, Wanderers put together a quality first performance after only one week of training under their belts.

Cam Doyle earned the Uncaged Fitness Player of the Game honors for her goal and the work put in defensively in the midfield. Maggie Carroll and Kate Crowley, both of Saint Anselm, were also key contributors in the midfield throughout the match.

Wanderers open up their home schedule this Saturday the 23rd at 4pm against Maine Footy on the John Coughlin Memorial Field at Worcester State University.