Boys’ Varsity Soccer
Mason Thrashes Strasburg 5-1
By Kris McMahon
(April 27,
2006)
The Mustangs outscored and out-hustled
their opponents in a comfortable 5-1 victory Tuesday, April 18 against
their second district
opponent Strasburg. After coming off a long spring break, the Mustangs
had not played together for over a week. Coach Iwanicki was determined
not to let the boys start out lackadaisically. Strasburg had just come
off of a 6-4 upset against Stonewall Jackson and seemed hungry for goals
and eager for a victory. Coach “I” told the boys to “come out strong and
pressure relentlessly.”
The Rams were able to hold off the Mustangs for the first
few minutes of the game, until senior center midfielder Kris McMahon changed
the score line to 1-0. McMahon received the ball at about the 35-yard line,
cut past one defender, and weaved between two others before striking it
on goal. The keeper managed to tip the ball, but fortunately for the Mustangs
the ball still dropped into the net.
The Mustangs continued to dominate the Rams by having
most of the possession in the first half, until they were eventually rewarded
with another goal. After a nice build up of play on the left side of the
field, junior left-forward Antonio Randrianasolo hit
a beautiful shot toward the Rams’ keeper causing him to parry it wide,
and winning the Mustangs a corner kick. Senior Mike Chaves whipped in a
precision corner kick, and McMahon again capitalized on a great opportunity
by heading the ball past the diving Ram goalie to give the Mustangs a 2-0
lead.
The Mustangs’ unrelenting siege on the Strasburg goal
continued. A Mustang player was brought down just outside Strasburg’s 18-yard
box. Chaves took the 22-yard free kick and blasted a curling shot over
the Ram wall and into the upper-right corner of the goal, to make it 3-0.
With dying minutes in the first half
the Mustangs were not through giving the Rams a beating. After several
passes strung together,
a ball was played across the 18-yard box, and Jack “Bird” Settje took
full advantage by crushing a left-footed shot past the out-stretched keeper,
ending the half 4-0.
In the second half the Mustangs worked on holding their
lead. They kept possession for most of the half, hardly letting Strasburg
touch the ball. The Mustangs added their last goal, in the 60th minute,
when Chaves threw in a long ball and Settje headed
it past the Rams’ keeper to make it 5-0. After several changes in the Mustang
line-up the Rams took advantage, and were able to score a consolation goal.
The end result was 5-1, The Mustangs look to continue their winning streak
today at home against Manassas Park at 7:00.
