But Mason’s appearance as a bully was actually egged on by the Panthers’ coach, who wanted his team to acclimate to harder competition in preparation for the Class 1 playoffs they entered at season’s end (Mason is a Class 2 team).

Traveling out to Berryville to take on one of the more potent soccer rivals in the Bull Run, Mason had to be patient while the game remained scoreless for nearly the entire first half, and at the same time, stay vigilant defensively to keep the Eagles’ advances away.

The team also honored its two seniors, Jason Mueller and Luke Sausville

The Mustangs (6-2-1) experienced an unfamiliar chill down their spine just three minutes into the contest — they lost their primary playmaker in senior midfielder Maura Mann to an ankle injury, and then lost the lead on a breakaway from Madison County’s left wing moments later.