by Jeffrey Wojtala – Special to the News-Press
On Monday, Oct. 17, George Mason High School’s field hockey team woke up just in time and ended their longest losing streak of the season at three.
After facing a 5A and a 6A team where they lost one of their starting defensive players to a concussion, the team headed to nearby Arlington for a match against the Bishop O’Connell Knights. After the initial possession, Mason appeared to be tired, with the Knights intercepting numerous Mason clears before the ball could pass midfield.
The Knights were not at all playing as their 2-13 record indicated, pushing the ball deep into the Mason end and receiving numerous penalty corners. The Mason defense stood strong, however, supported by great footwork by senior Hannah Hiscott in net, and no goals were scored.
Mason did not receive their first penalty corner until the waning minutes of the game, but when the horn sounded the game remained deadlocked at zero.
As overtime began the Mason crowd on hand at the field were hopeful. Mason had not lost a game in extra periods this season. Overtime was dominated by Mason, as the Knights had a short bench for substitutes and the game length was beginning to show on the O’Connell players.
The Knights did have a few chances, one of which was when a long stroke eluded senior Manon Diz and the Knights player drove towards the net. Manon, though, recovered quickly and regained possession from the Knights player.
On the ensuing clearing pass Manon found senior Kori Wills sprinting up the field. After a little bit of dipsey-do stick handling Kori found junior Celine Diz in front of the Knights’ net. Celine’s first shot was stopped, but Celine put the rebound between the O’Connell goalie’s pads for the win.
The Varsity team’s record is now 10-5 on the season. Next game for the Mustangs is tonight and the team will face off against Brookewood School. The match will be Senior Night, the final regular season home game for the team. The field hockey program will honor their four graduating seniors – senior forward Maeva Donnelly, Wills, Diz and Hiscott.
