By Kendra Webb (May 21, 2002)

"It only gets more interesting from here," noted head coach Cliff Carroll after the George Mason girls’ varsity soccer team finished its game against Rappahannock Friday night, closing its regular season. The girls went 8-2 in the district with their two most recent wins at home over both the Manassas Park Cougars and the Rappahannock Panthers with scores of 7-0 and 6-0, respectively.

Tuesday, May 7^th, the team completely shutout and dominated the Cougars on what was designated Senior Night. Scoring for the ‘Stangs were forwards Alison Penland with an impressive hat-trick (3 goals), as well as Becky Roa, Kendra Webb, midfielder Claire Grubbs, and defender Caitie Flaherty each contributing one.

Friday afternoon the girls faced a frustrating delay as they waited for referees to show. As the game got underway, goals were put in the back of the net by sophomores Roa (2), Penland (2), Loreto Martinez, and Amanda Harrington until the game was called short due to lightning. Sharing time in the goal for the shutout were keepers Leen Quintyn and Megan Wilhelm.

Thanks to their district rank, the team was given a bye through the first round of district tournament play on Tuesday, and are scheduled to play next at tournament host Rappahannock Thursday against the winner of the Manassas Park vs. Madison County game. Should Mason win that game, they will automatically advance to regionals and once again travel to Rappahannock Friday night for the district championship game.