Boys’ Varsity Soccer
Mustangs Trample Panthers, 6-2

By: Kris McMahon and Gregg Curtin (April 7, 2006)

The soccer team started districts with a huge win against Rappahannock, crushing the Panthers 6-2. After the opening whistle both sides started out well and both looked capable of snatching the first goal. Senior center midfielder Kris McMahon started the scoring with a beautiful left-footed volley from the corner of the 18-yard box, beating the keeper far post. The Panthers came close in the 20^th minute when their right midfielder beat a Mustang defender and hit a low shot trying to beat back-up goalkeeper Gregg Curtin. Curtin made a comfortable save to keep the score 1-0.

In the 22nd minute, McMahon made it 2-0 by heading the ball off of Mike Chaves’s curling-in corner kick. The Panthers immediately took advantage, within the first 15 seconds of the kickoff they caught an easy break away and found the back of the net to make it 2-1. The Mustangs pushed ahead 3-1 before the first half came to a close. McMahon received the ball on the right side of the field, faked out one defender and managed to get by two others before crushing a 22-yard shot that nicked the crossbar to give the Mustangs a two goal cushion before half. The Mustangs were determined to not let the lead slip and the boys played very physical, possessed the ball nicely, and were eventually rewarded with another goal in the 62nd minute of play. Mike Chaves played a beautiful 45-yard free kick into the penalty area, where McMahon was able to head it over the charging goalie.

Senior midfielder James Day calls for a pass against the Rappahannock Panthers in the Mustangs’ first match in district competition Wed. night at home. The Mustangs won 6-2. (Photo by Jared Allan)

The relentless Panthers would not submit to the Mustangs. They scored again by racing down the left flank and firing a shot towards keeper Gregg Curtin. The ball was tipped by Curtin but managed to fall into the Mustang goal making the score line 4-2. Senior forward Mike Coleman came onto to the field to give the Mustangs more attacking options towards the end of the game. After an error in the Panthers’ defense, the Mustangs won a corner kick. Mike Chaves again struck a pin-point accurate ball into the box, Coleman capitalized on this corner and headed it into the side netting of the Panthers’ goal, to give the Mustangs a 5-2 lead.

As time was winding down the Mustangs were not finished. With less than four minutes of play, senior defender/midfielder David Slot used his lightening speed to blow by two defenders and calmly slide the ball past the rushing Panther goal keeper.

With this win the Mustangs’ record is 1-0-0 in the district and 1-1-2 in the regular season, tying Central H.S. and losing to AAA competitors J.E.B. Stuart and Stonewall Jackson.