by Jeffrey Wojtala
The George Mason High School varsity field hockey team extended their win record last Thursday, Oct. 8 with their sixth overtime win in six tries. That’s when the Mason varsity and junior varsity team traveled to Wakefield High School in Arlington to face the Warriors.
The junior varsity started the night by posting their second tie of the season with a 0-0 draw against the Warriors junior varsity team. A majority of the play took place on Wakefield’s defensive side of the field with the Mason junior varsity girls constantly pushing towards the goal but could not capitalize on their chances. With the tie the junior varsity’s record currently stands at 8-2-2.
The varsity team took the field next and faced a quick varsity Warriors team who applied constant pressure on the Lady Mustangs, limiting Mason’s scoring chances. Junior Hannah Hiscott started the game between the pipes and had outstanding foot saves keeping the Warriors off of the scoreboard.
The see-saw battle continued until the 6:13 mark when Senior Sabine Wills placed the ball into the back of the Wakefield net after a mad scramble in the scoring circle. Wakefield scored at 3:50 left in the half tying the score at the halftime whistle.
The Lady Mustangs came out strong in the second half with seniors Autumn Broxson and Annie Mothershead keeping the ball in the Warriors end. Junior Korinne Wills scored at the 17:26 mark to give the Mustangs the lead. Unfortunately, Wakefield responded quickly with the equalizer setting up Mason’s sixth overtime in eight games.
The fifteen minute overtime period began with a goalie change for the Mustangs to senior Caroline Duffett. As was the first two periods the Mustangs came out fast, but the Warriors continued to refute their chances. After two breakaways by junior Sarah Lubnow earlier in the game, Sarah’s hard work paid off and with 1:36 left in the overtime period Sarah found herself one-on-one against the Wakefield goalie and this time buried the ball into left corner of the net. With the win the Lady Mustangs improved their record to 11-2.
The Mustangs have three more regular season games this year. On Tuesday, Oct. 20 the field hockey team will be honoring 11 seniors on senior night. The ceremony will begin at 6:40 p.m. with the home game to follow.
