By Omar Tanamly (May 21, 2004)

With its 5-0 triumph over RappahannockCounty last Tuesday, the varsity soccer team made school history by being the first George Mason soccer squad ever to win the district season undefeated.Winning 10 games against its Bull Run District opponents, the Mustangs scored a season total of 59 goals and let in only three.After a junior varsity victory at Rappahannock, the varsity team took the field fully intent on doing what no team had ever done before.

Sophomore midfielder Gregg Curtin’s goal early in the first half set the Mustangs on a fierce gallop that not even the fastest Panther could contend with.Later in the game, two additional goals were scored by still-leading goal scorer junior midfielder Josiah Larson and senior forward Peter Hamill.With a strong 3-0 lead, junior forward Nils-Petter Ek shot two past the goalie in the final five minutes of the game.

Starting defenders freshman Herberth Garcia, junior Paul Arnaudo, sophomore Mike Chaves, and senior Peter Dittmar finished the District season off just as they played all season, impenetrable, impassable, and unstoppable, allowing four-year varsity veteran, senior goalie Alex Fatovic only seven saves.Fatovic and his defenders pulled off their seventh District shutout of the season.

Amid passionate excitement, the Mustangs managed to keep their composure to prove their true sportsmanship and nature as champions.“You really put a team away tonight,” head coach Arthur Iwanicki told the team, in a post-game meeting while discussing both the boys’ big accomplishment and future prospects during district and regional playoffs.

While becoming District champions on Tuesday, Mustangs also secured home advantage in the Bull Run District Playoffs.The Mustangs’ first game will be against either MadisonCounty or ManassasPark next Thursday at home.Undeterred, the Mustangs will emerge replenished and ready for their first game after an eight-day stretch of intense practices of honing their skills to prepare for the tough road ahead.

Come out and support your team when they play next Thursday and check at www.gmsoccer.com for updates.