The Meridian Mustang girls’ field hockey team concluded its three-game week by facing off against Jackson-Reed High School on Friday night, after defeating district rivals James Monroe and Brentsville on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. Each of those games had 3-0 scores, giving Meridian a four-game shutout streak and keeping them undefeated after five contests this season.

This one would prove to be a challenge, though – at least in the first half. Though the Mustangs mostly controlled play, they were unable to get a shot into the net through the first period and it was the same story in the second, despite having plenty of solid chances including one that just went wide right as the buzzer sounded for intermission. They finally broke the ice courtesy of Lila Deering on a short corner shot with five minutes remaining in the third quarter, and from there the floodgates were open. Delaney Flanagan scored twice within a two-minute span shortly afterwards, and then Emily Borum tacked on a fourth tally with mere seconds left in the period, giving the home team a 4-0 lead after three.

It would only grow in the fourth quarter, with Lucy Hladky scoring at just under ten minutes remaining, and then Hladky earned a penalty shot about 90 seconds later with a chance to end the game via Mercy Rule. She converted, and the Mustangs improved to 6-0 on the season with a matching final score. Their next test will be another home game, as they play host to the Fauquier Falcons next Tuesday.