by Matt Delaney
George Mason’s varsity girls soccer team began the home stretch of their regular season with another batch of wins, this time over Rappahannock County 8-0 and Central High School 4-0.
The Mustangs were a force against the visiting Panthers. With consistent possession of the ball Mason generated multiple scoring chances around Rappahannock County’s goal, tallying their goals in clumps at a time.
After sophomore midfielder Victoria Rund assisted fellow midfielder Rebecca Crouch for the game’s first goal eight minutes in, Mason went cold until they racked up three goals from the 21st to 31st minute, coming from Rund, Crouch and sophomore forward Izzy Armstrong.
An even more bountiful 11 minute spree was sparked by senior midfielder Corinne Carson’s goal to start the second half. Crouch scored twice and Armstrong once more before the 52nd minute had elapsed.
Mason could’ve brought their B game and been fine against Rappahannock County, but this team learned early on not to take any opponent for granted.
It’s why they kept their foot on the gas and didn’t allow the Panthers to get comfortable on either end of the field.
“No win is guaranteed; we have to work for it,” head coach Allison Klink said. “That’s something we talk about before every game…no matter what team we’re playing. We have to try and play a certain way.”
Defensively, the Mustangs remain in flux. Three junior defenders are nagged by injury, with Megan Butler and Alice Castillo sidelined for the year with their respective knee injuries while Carly Roberson is afflicted with a low grade ankle sprain.
The senior line of Clara Frost, Ella Howard and Caroline Stricker are more than solid, but they won’t get much reprieve against tougher teams in the postseason.
Traveling to Woodstock, Virginia for a game with Central, Mason turned in a respectable performance. Controlling the ball and fluid movement were staples of the Mustangs showing, creating chances near the net as a result. Many of Mason’s offensive players were able to use the chaos surrounding Central’s goalkeeper as an advantage.
“That’s the goal,” Klink said. “To move quickly, try to find feet and to make some good opportunities. I think we did that.”
Mason finishes the regular season with a road game against Clarke County High School on Friday, May 13 and a home closer against William Monroe High School on Monday, May 16, which is the team’s senior night.
