VarsitySoccer
Mason Beats Strasburg at Home 5-1
After Lackluster 2-1 Win Over Panthers
Maintain Undefeated District Streak

By: Kris McMahon and Gregg Curtin (May 10, 2006)

Despite an aggravating game, the Mustangs came out on top against the Strasburg Rams 5-1 at home. The Mustangs took charge of the game right from the opening minute. Roughly 45 seconds into the game senior forward Kris McMahon intercepted a pass, dribbled past a defender and struck the ball about 25 yards out, only to hit the cross-bar.

The Mustangs continued their assault on the Rams’ goal, forcing the Strasburg keeper to save a couple of nicely struck shots at close range. Senior forward David Slaught came very close to scoring when he hit a first time ball at the six-yard line. The Rams’ keeper made an impossible save to keep the score line at 0-0.

Fifteen minutes into the first half McMahon came close again. He juked a Ram defender and blasted a shot outside the 18-yard box. The keeper just managed to tip the ball over the cross-bar, giving the Mustangs a corner kick. Senior center back Mike Chaves delivered a curling ball right into the box, where McMahon was able to head the ball into the open net from point blank range. The score remained 1-0 until the second half.

The Mustangs started the second half much stronger than the first. Senior defensive-midfielder Gregg Curtin opened the scoring in the second half. Antonio Randrianasolo slipped a penetrating pass into Curtin, before he struck a low shot into the side netting. The Mustangs made the score 3-0 when Chaves threw in a ball and junior midfielder Jack “Bird” Settje flicked it past the outstretched Rams’ goalie. Freshman right-midfielder Randrianasolo captured his second goal of the season when he hit a half-volleyed shot that hit off a defender and dropped into the goal. With a comfortable 4-0 lead coach Iwanicki decided to make some changes in the lineup to put a couple of fresh players on the field.

Senior forward James Day grabbed his first goal of the season after coming off of the bench in the 68^th minute. Strasburg was able to get a consolation goal before the match ended. When Strasburg was awarded a corner kick, a Ram midfielder whipped in an awkward ball that junior goalie Eric Casteuble misread as it curled into the far post netting. With this win the Mustangs stay undefeated in the district at 6-0. They play Madison at home on Tuesday May 9.

The win over Strasburg helped buoy the spirits of the Mustangs following a lackluster performance against the Rappahannock Panthers which the Mustangs won 2-1. “We just didn’t come to play,” said senior Sean Nannery about a game many of the players and coaches expressed surprise for being an uninspired performance.

The Mustangs were unable to possess the ball for any long periods of time in the first half. The Panthers threatened first and challenged the Mustangs’ defense and goalkeeper Eric Casteuble on several occasions. Before the end of the first half, the Mustang forwards were able to spark a little light as senior Adam Chandler struck a ball from the sideline which fumbled past the Panther goalkeeper off a Panther defender to make the score 1-0 at the end of the first half.

After some halftime adjustments, the Mustangs came out in the second half with little improvement. However, the Panthers came out firing and made a goal of their own off a volleyed throw in to set the score at 1-1. Junior Jack Settje was finally able to provide the tie-breaker as he put away a bobbling ball in front of the Panthers’ net to make the score 2-1.

The game was not over, however, as the Panthers continued to pressure the Mustang defense which blundered on a few occasions, almost giving away the lead. The Panthers were unable to capitalize, however, and the Mustangs held on to their undefeated streak.

Following Tuesday’s game against Manassas Park, the Mustangs will play the big game Friday as they take on the Clarke County Eagles at home for senior night when, hopefully, they will capture the undefeated district title.