The Mustangs hadn’t allowed a goal since April 23 in their road meeting with Madison County and have outscored Bull Run District competition 79-1 during league play.

But a Quill-to-Boston connection in the final minute helped push Mason ahead by two goals, and relaxed the team heading into the second half.

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.