The George Mason High School boys varsity lacrosse team rallied to defeat Dulles District quarterfinal opponent Potomac Falls, 11-4, last Thursday night, setting up a semi-final showdown against Broad Run. Broad Run is the only team to defeat Mason during the Mustangs’ 14-1 regular season.

Trailing by two goals early, the Mustang defense locked down and allowed just two more Panther goals for the remainder of the contest, while the offense provided a comfortable margin of victory.

Junior goalie Tim Koning stepped in for injured starter Ewan Oglethorpe and performed admirably, according to Mason Head Coach Richard Costello.

The offense was led by Matt Palmieri, John Mann and Graham Colton, each of whom scored two goals for the Mustangs.

Now Mason faces Broad Run, a team that bested the Mustangs 19-9 during the regular season.

“Broad Run is a very skilled, well coached team that was able to exploit every mistake we made,” Costello said of the teams’ first meeting. “We have to play good team defense and penalty free lacrosse to give ourselves a chance to win.”

The winner of the game, postponed from Monday, May 12 to Wednesday, May 14 due to weather, will earn a berth in the regional tournament and a spot in the Dulles District finals. Mason finished the regular season in a three-way tie for first place with Broad Run and Heritage. Five Mustangs were rewarded individually for their team’s success by being named to the All-Dulles District teams. Junior John Mann and sophomore Mike Duning were named to the First Team, while seniors Russell Intermaggio and Oglethorpe were appointed to the Second team with junior Jake Schwind.

“Our team has come a long way from last year in terms of the basic individual and team skills,” Costello said. “The biggest difference this year is our ability to clear the ball and attack the cage in transition and ride the opposing team to create turnovers and maintain possession. We are 4-0 in one-goal games this year, as opposed to 0-3 last year, which speaks to our ability to come together as a team and find ways to win when facing adversity.”

Results of Wednesday night’s game were not available at press time.