On Tuesday, May 17, George Mason High School’s girls varsity soccer team nipped Manassas Park 1-0 on a very wet and muddy field. The win gave the Mason girls another regular season Bull Run District title. The team then entered playoff competition, where it is seeking to defend its back-to-back state championships. On Tuesday, May 25, Mason’s title defense began with a semifinal game and a 4-1 victory over a familiar foe: Manassas Park.
On Tuesday, May 17, George Mason High School’s girls varsity soccer team nipped Manassas Park 1-0 on a very wet and muddy field.
The win gave the Mason girls another regular season Bull Run District title.
The team then entered playoff competition, where it is seeking to defend its back-to-back state championships.
On Tuesday, May 25, Mason’s title defense began with a semifinal game and a 4-1 victory over a familiar foe: Manassas Park.
The win put Mason at 11-3-1 on the year.
By defeating Manassas Park, the Mustangs earned the right to host the District championship game against Madison County High on Thursday, May 27 at 7 p.m.
In the rematch against the Cougars, Mason generally kept play in its offensive end, peppering senior goalie Che Brown with quality shots throughout the game.
In defeat, Brown was a star: She made such a number of athletic saves that even the Mason fans were eventually impressed to the point of applauding her.
But despite Brown’s best efforts, it was Leah Roth’s night.
Roth, a sophomore forward, turned in a hat-trick to propel her team to the win.
After Manassas got on the board in the 14th minute via a corner kick, Roth answered decisively, scoring in the 23rd and 24th minutes to put Mason up for good.
On Roth’s first goal, she was assisted by Katie Breen, who sent a nice pass from outside to Roth, who then scored from close to the net.
Breen had two assists in the game; she also set up Violet Miller for Mason’s third goal with 26:45 left in the contest.
Roth put Mason up 4-1 with 22:09 left off a Maggie Mascarenhas assist.
“Most of our goals start from our defense and work up,” Roth said after the game, deflecting the credit like a professional. “Our defense won the ball and got it to the midfield and our mid-fielders contributed a lot. We distribute the ball very well, and I think that’s why we play well. We have good chemistry.
“Our forwards come to the ball well,” Roth continued. “And that’s something we were trying to focus on in this game. Last time against Manassas we tried to go deep and it didn’t really work – their keeper is so strong.
When asked if she had any final thoughts, Roth was as decisive as she was on the pitch.
“We’re ready for Thursday’s game,” she said. “Madison’s strong, but we’re stronger.”
