George Mason High School senior soccer star Violet Miller celebrated her birthday in the best of ways, scoring a pair of goals on her home turf in a 3-1 victory over rival Clarke County on Tuesday.
George Mason High School senior soccer star Violet Miller celebrated her birthday in the best of ways, scoring a pair of goals on her home turf in a 3-1 victory over rival Clarke County on Tuesday.
“It was a really exciting day,” she said. “Just playing a competitive game on my birthday was exciting. It was fun.”
The match against Clarke came after months of hype. The squad is expected to be the only challenger to the Mustangs for Bull Run District supremacy.
“It’s on our minds a lot,” said Mason’s Hannah Walker, who also scored again Clarke. “I think for sure, throughout the season, this game was always in the back of your mind. We kept trying to push the envelope, trying to push the practices, so that way we’ll be ready.”
The win against Clarke is Mason’s fifth consecutive victory. The team improves to 7-4 overall, and hasn’t lost since April 5 at home to Brentsville District High.
“I think we were a pretty new team this year,” Miller said of her team’s slow start. “We were getting all the kinks out. We’ve become more of a unit.”
Mason head coach Jennifer Parsons attributed Mason up-and-down early season to the tougher competition the team faced.
Scheduling tough schools was part of the coach’s strategy.
“I think as you get going in the district, you almost get comfortable with winning,” she said. “I think it’s good for them to have tough games earlier in the year.”
Parson was pleased with the victory against Clarke, but could see that the rivalry hype affected her team.
“I think the nerves and the mental side of the Clarke rivalry got to them a little bit, which is understandable,” she said. “I don’t think they played their best game.”
“I’m happy with the outcome, obviously,” the coach continued. “I can’t be disappointed with a win.”
During the win streak, the Mustangs have outscored opponents 31-1. That defensive mentallity continued Tuesday night.
“Our defense did play very well tonight,” Parsons said.
Parsons sees the victory as playing a big boost prior to Mason’s May 11 rematch against Clarke on the road.
“I think going into it with confidence is important and getting the win is huge for us,” she said. “I know we can play a lot better.”
Mason next faces Madison on the road on Thursday. While in most years, Madison is another formidable opponent, but as evident by the Mustangs’ 8-0 win over the team earlier this season, this year is not the case.
“They’re definitely in a redevelopment year,” Parsons said.
Mason is at Madison on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. The Mustangs’ next home game is May 16 against Strasburg.
