Following a hot start out of the blocks, the men’s soccer team came crashing down to earth – briefly. After starting off the season undefeated, the team lost an unprecedented five straight before returning to classic Mason soccer form winning its last three games, including a convincing 3-0 shutout over Brentsville on Tuesday, they have improved their district record to 8-4. 

The losing streak started off with a tightly-contested 2-1 loss to AAA powerhouse Wakefield, followed the next day by a crushing 2-1 defeat at the hands of arch-nemesis Brentsville while the team was drained from playing less than 24 hours earlier. A series of painstakingly close losses followed and the team’s fragile confidence dwindled with every loss.

While the losses piled up, many observers – both fans and opponents alike – began to disregard the Mustangs, except the players and coaching staff. "I was secure with the fact that the team’s experience, stature, and maturity would shine through and eventually realign the squad on their winning ways," said Coach Art Iwanicki.

"A lot of guys weren’t pulling their weight and the team was losing its confidence. I didn’t know if we would ever get this thing back on track," said senior captain Ben Dietz.

"Hopefully we’ll be able to end up with the same result as the Ravens [who rebounded from a five game touchdown drought to win the Super Bowl.] Adversity builds character. Besides, it only matters what we do in the post-season anyway," said senior Mikey Bracken.

The seniors continue to lead the squad, with Dietz orchestrating the attack from the midfield Strikers Michael Bracken and Ian Florance have stepped to the plate with some key goals, and Guy Penland and Thomas Bracken have been stalwarts on the backline - before Bracken went down with a sprained ankle. 

To overcome the loss, the resolve and depth of the team will be tested over the coming weeks. Iwankicki has them playing typical poised and physical Mason futbol and they are building up momentum for the post-season.

"I’m not worried," said Iwanicki. "The experience and talent level of the seniors will hopefully be able to carry this team. It won’t be as easy as last year but these guys set their hearts on a goal a long time ago and we just need to play smart enough and passionate enough to reach that goal."

On the girls’ side, a youth movement has seemingly overtaken the team, as they have catapulted to an uncharacteristic 6-2-1 record. Freshman phenoms Alison Penland and Becky Roa have led the Mason offensive splurge, picking up where several graduated stars have left off in recent years. 

The young players have been surrounded nicely by veterans Becky Davis and Lies Quintyn in the midfield, Elizabeth Falkey in the back, and Kendra Webb up front. After the loss of star playmaker Amanda Henneberg, flanker Kate Zimmerman and fullback Karly Gould to other extracurricular activities, these players have stepped into the spotlight and received the torch that has been passed to them.

Second year Coach Clifford Carroll has instituted a simple, low-risk philosophy on both offense and defense and it certainly seems to be working. 

"Sure [our winning record] was a bit unexpected, but we definitely have earned it by playing our hearts out and dominating our opponents," said Davis. "We have high hopes for the post-season."