With cloudy skies overhead on one of the biggest, most exciting days in Falls Church City, the George Mason High School varsity girls soccer team put on their own show, as they romped past Goochland High School, 8-1, in the first round of the Region B Tournament Monday afternoon.
While people filed into the center of town to fill up on funnel cake and chicken-on-a-stick, the lady Mustangs were busy taking care of business, as four goals in the first 16 minutes made quick work of the James River District champions.
Right from the start, Mason’s offense was firing on all cylinders, as they constantly wore down the Bulldog defense throughout the day.
Sophomore Mayssa Chehata started off the offensive barrage in the fourth minute with a beautiful header off a free-kick from fellow classmen Kim Kenny. Kenny booted a ball that deflected off the Goochland keeper, and towards Chehata, who headed it in for the first score of the night.
In the seventh minute, junior Rachel Kazman perfectly placed a corner kick right in front of the Bulldog net, and freshman Karen Hamill was right there waiting to head it into the back of the net.
Just two minutes later, the consistent Mustang attack proved to be costly on the already-worn down Bulldogs, as an own-goal off a cross by junior Olivia Scott put Mason ahead by three.
Junior varsity call-up, sophomore Jackie Pacella started off her career day in the 16th minute, scoring the first of her three goals on the day, giving her a hat trick in her first varsity game.
“Both Jackie and [sophomore] Shelbi Taylor played extremely well today,” said Mustang coach Jennifer Parsons following the match. “It looked like they had been out there all year with us.”
Pacella’s second and third goals game in the 50th and 57th minutes, respectively, the first a perfectly placed kick over the head of the Goochland goalie, and the latter coming off a cross by Hamill.
Goochland’s lone goal came in the 61st minute, as junior forward Amy Zickefoose rocketed a ball into the top left corner of the Mustang net past junior goalie Lauren Jekowsky to put the Bulldogs on the board.
That goal was the lone lapse for the Mustang defense, which otherwise played a stellar game. Jekowsky split time in goal with fellow classmen Rebecca Jackson to anchor the effort.
In the 68th minute, Mason added their seventh goal of the game, as Kenny rebounded a rocket shot by senior Katie Turner which banged off the crossbar. Gathering it, Kenny fired it into the back of the net.
Five minutes later, Kazman added the final goal of the game, placing the score at 8-1 in favor of the home team.
Parsons was extremely complimentary of the all-around team effort following the game, saying it was the “best game they have played in a while.”
The Mustangs continued their quest for a regional title this Wednesday, as they took a three-hour bus ride to Shenandoah District champion Riverheads for the right to move on to the regional final and secure a berth in the state tournament. Results of this match were not available at press time.
A win in that game would put Mason at home on Friday, possibly against arch-nemesis Clarke County. The Eagles have defeated the Mustangs three time this season, the most recent of which was a 3-1 victory in the Bull Run District title game at Clarke.
“We are certainly more comfortable on our home turf,” noted Parsons. “The potential to play Clarke at home is great.
“Although we are not looking past Riverheads, I think it is safe to say that every girl on the team is hoping for another shot at Clarke.”
