GMHS Boys Varsity Soccer Earn Their Spot at Radford

The Mustangs Boys Varsity team defeated the Mathews Blue Devils Tuesday night, garnering a slot in the State Semi Finals in Radford.

The Mustangs came out slow, not scoring until the 26^th minute when Freshman Eion Oosterbaan brought the ball down the left sideline and dished it off to Nick Smirniotopoulos. Smirniotopoulos faked to the right and then found the back of the net.

The Blue Devils refused to fall behind when, only a few plays later, they pushed through the Mustang defense and slammed the ball into the back of the net to tie the game.

Smirniotopoulos retaliated, bringing the ball down the left sideline, beating a defender, and then placing the ball in the bottom right corner to give the Mustangs the lead.

The Blue Devils were then given the opportunity to tie the game again when they were awarded a penalty kick in the Mustangs’ box. The shot went to the bottom left corner but Mustang goal keeper Tyler Back was able to jump on it, ending the first half with a score of 2-1.

Mustang Head Coach Arthur Iwaniki applauded, “Tyler kept us in the game the first half.”

The Mustangs dominated the second half, possessing the ball in their attacking third and taking multiple shots. Within the first two minutes the Mustangs added to their lead when Jordan Robarge sent a ball to Andrew Arias at the 20 yard line. Arias pounded the ball into the top left corner of the goal.

The Mustang offensive onslaught continued when Jack Cashin received a throw-in. He chucked the ball to Jon Brooks, who headed the ball. The ball reached Alex Casteuble, who was waiting at the back post and tapped it in.

The final goal was scored when Teddy Rueckert gave the ball to Smirniotopoulos, who finished the game with a hat trick.

The Mustangs won 5-1, advancing to the Semis to be held Friday, June 3^rd at Radford. The boys’ game will be played against Stonewall Jackson High at 4p.m

Although the Mustangs beat Stonewall 3-1 in last Friday’s Regional Championship game, Senior defender and co-captain Anthony Andrianarison noted, “We need to come out strong in the first half because we have been coming out slow in the past few games, like we did against Stonewall. We need to bring it from the beginning and put it away early.”