by Liz Lizama
With one regular season game remaining, the George Mason High School varsity girls soccer team remains undefeated at 15-0 after notching two more wins this past week. The Mustangs beat Manassas Park High School 9-0 last Friday and Rappahannock County High School 9-1 on Tuesday.
On Friday, in their last home game of the regular season, the Mustangs dominated the Manassas Park Cougars, gaining an early lead in the first few minutes of the match. Mason continued to strike, leading 7-0 at halftime.
The Mustangs scored two additional goals in the second half, which put them over the 8-goal differential to initiate the slaughter rule. The game ended 20 minutes early as a result. Forward/midfielders Ava Roth (senior), Corinne Carson (junior) and Victoria Rund (freshman) led the Mustangs in scoring with two goals apiece.
Forward/midfielders Megan Butler (sophomore) and Izzy Armstrong (freshman) each scored one goal along with freshman defense Caroline Stricker, who scored her first goal this season.
Sophomore forward/midfielder Becca Crouch contributed with four assists for Mason, followed by Roth with two assists. Senior defense Jessica Gemond and junior midfielders Melissa Johnson and Ella Howard each recorded one assist.
Senior Katie Cheney played goalkeeper the entire game, securing her tenth shutout of the season.
On Tuesday, Mason pressed on Rappahannock County, though the Panthers’ one shot resulted in a goal to end the first half at 7-1. The game marks only the fifth time an opponent managed to score on the Mustangs this season.
Crouch led the Mustangs with four of Mason’s nine goals. Roth added two goals, followed by Carson, Armstrong and Rund with one goal each.
Mason will travel to Strasburg High School to play their last regular season game tonight. The Mustangs defeated the Strasburg Rams 8-0 when they met last month.
If Mason wins the last remaining game of the regular season, head coach Jennifer Parsons said the team will earn hosting rights for most of the postseason, which is a huge advantage.
As the Mustangs move forward, Mason is determined to make its way to another state championship. “We are focusing on teamwork in the way we play and working for our teammates,” said Parsons. “A big focus is also on our intensity in front of the goal and focusing on our goal-scoring opportunities.”
