George Mason High School’s varsity field hockey team posted a decisive 8-0 win over the Penguins of Washington’s School Without Walls – the first win of the field hockey program’s inaugural season as a varsity sport.

Playing for a home crowd, the Mustangs came out strong early on with sophomore forward Callie Gaskins putting the Mustangs on the board first with a goal within the first four minutes of play.

On the third in a series of penalty corners, sophomore midfielder Caroline Stricker slammed a ball sent in from freshman Korinne Wills into the goal. On a fourth penalty corner, Stricker earned another goal on a ball sent in by sophomore forward Sabine Wills, bringing the score to 3-0 at the half.

The Mustangs continued to dominate in the second half, with junior forward Eleanor Langford scoring two minutes into the second half. Junior defender Emma Graig planted the ball in the Penguins’ goal shortly thereafter. Stricker’s solid slap-shot then secured her a hat trick and put the Mustangs up 6-0.

Two more goals by the Mustangs, first by Sabine Wills then by senior forward Sarah Macris, brought the final score to 8-0.

“I am so proud of my teammates for coming out and giving it their all,” said co-captain Macris after the win. Fellow co-captain Graig agreed: “It was great to pick up our first win as a varsity sport and it was truly a full team effort.”

The Mustangs face Foxcroft High School in an away game in Middleburg Thursday, and have two back-to-back home games next week – on Tuesday, Oct. 8, against Brookewood School and on Wednesday, Oct. 9, against Kettle Run High School.