The George Mason High School girls soccer team stepped out on home turf last Friday for its first district game of the season. They overpowered their opponents from Manassas Park High School with a 8-0 win. The matchup invoked the Mercy Rule, ending game play when a team is leading by eight or more goals any time after 60 minutes of play.
“It gave us the confidence we needed to continue the season, especially after losing to Freedom that Monday,” senior Leah Roth said.
Within the first five minutes, Mason had offensive control with many opportunities on goal.
Leah Roth and her sister, freshman Ava Roth, were leading the team as strong center midfielders and managed to get off a countless number of shots. This lead Mason to get a corner kick that Leah Roth propelled in the box, allowing sophomore Camille Rice to place the ball in the far corner and give the Mustangs their first goal at eight minutes.
Leah Roth kept Mason’s energy up when she got by the defense for a goal just two minutes after Rice’s.
Junior Maggie Mascarenhas, with effortless speed, confronted and diminished Manassas Park’s defense, and crossed it to Ava Roth who pierced the ball in the net with a diving header.
“It was exhilarating to fly through the air and score that way,” Ava Roth said.
The next point for Mason came when, off of a pass from Ava Roth, Rice was able to score her second goal of the game.
“It felt really great to score, and it made me even more excited for this season,” Rice said.
Another goal from Leah Roth ended the half with the Lady Mustangs leading over Manassas Park, 5-0.
Eleven minutes into the second half, Freshman Mary Keenan scored her first goal of the game off of an assist from Ava Roth. Soon after, Leah Roth earned a hat trick with a third goal.
To score Mason’s final goal, Junior Hailey Thomas blazed a shot to the far corner, making it impossible for any goalie to save.
“I was excited because we had a range of people score and that just shows how talented our young team is,” Leah Roth said.
The team traveled to play Madison County High School Wednesday, but results were not available at press time. Mason will host the four-time AA defending state champions from Broad Run High School Friday, and the Central High School squad next Tuesday.
