When the number-one seeded team plays the second-seeded team, the audience can expect both teams to fight for the victory from start to finish. And so it was on Tuesday.
When the number-one seeded team plays the second-seeded team, the audience can expect both teams to fight for the victory from start to finish. And so it was on Tuesday.
The number-one seeded George Mason High School boys soccer team lost to the second-seeded Manassas Park High School, 1-2, on Tuesday, May 10.
“Any time there is a match of this importance – I think it was little bit more important for them than it was for us, it was a must win for them – it just increases the ferociousness of the match,” Mason coach Frank Spinello said.
Manassas came out strong, scoring a goal in the first minute of the game. Playing behind for the entire game, the Mustangs had trouble creating opportunities to score. Mason kept fighting to come back, but Mason players were struggling to connect with each other offensively.
Manassas’ offense, on the other hand, had no trouble creating opportunities and attacking. They kept threatening senior Tyler Back’s goal throughout the game. With Mason struggling to stop the opponent, Manassas scored their second goal midway through the second half.
“They possessed the ball pretty well, so it was a little harder to pressure the ball,” Mason coach Frank Spinello said. “They did a good job of playing balls through to put pressure on the defenders so we didn’t have time to counteract.”
With a 0-2 deficit and the pressure on the Mustangs side, Mason started being more aggressive in the last few minutes of the game. Mason’s goal finally came in the last minute and 36 seconds of the game from freshman Paul Darmstadter. The Mustangs attempted to score another goal in the last few seconds, but their effort was not enough.
The Mustangs did not have their full roster for the game against Manassas. Key players such as seniors Patrick Rollo and Harris Schaffer were out because of a concussion. Junior Eion Oosterbaan only played a few minutes due to a back pain.
“We were missing some key players tonight, but I told the guys before the game we can’t use it as an excuse,” Spinello said. “We expect everybody out there on the field to contribute.”
With the loss, Mason’s nine-game winning streak came to an end. The Mustangs were undefeated in Bull Run district plays before Tuesday’s loss.
The Mustangs have two games left before they get into district semifinals. They take on Strasburg High School away on May 12, and Rappahannock County High School on Tuesday, May 17, at 7 p.m. The seniors will be honored before the game against Rappahannock.
