By Tim Tassa -- Daily Staff Writer

BERRYVILLE — The frenetic pace of Monday's second overtime saw three shots on goal for Clarke County in the final 2:20 of the game.

Katheryne Lawson dribbled a shot down the middle of the box, Sarah Ellston followed suit, and Brittany Chandler added an attempt of her own.

However, the team's desperate, rapid-fire approach with time dwindling found no success as Mustangs' goal keeper Rebecca Jackson stopped each shot, ending the game in a 3-3 tie in a pivotal Bull Run District girls soccer contest.

"I think we saw a lot of good things in this game. I thought we had a well fought match, I thought both teams played very well," Lawson said. "So I was hoping we'd get another goal in, obviously."

"You only have five minutes in the overtime, so you have to leave everything on the field that you can, work as hard as you can to get there."

The extra periods almost never happened — George Mason was a player short following Tegan Argo's red card in the first half, hurting the Mustangs and helping the Eagles to an early 3-1 lead.

But George Mason managed come back and tie the game late in the second half, when Mustangs forward Olivia Scott sent a shot into the left side of the net, beating Clarke County keeper Haley Socha and erasing the lead the Eagles had held for the previous 48:53.

"It was just an adrenaline rush. I mean I was right there and it had to be done. Definitely a good battle with Clarke County," said Scott, who had two goals for the Mustangs.

"They're a good squad, and they always give us a run for our money, and we're excited to see them at home."

For the Eagles, who are now 9-2-2, 6-0-2, the scoring commenced just five minutes into the game. Perfecting a tactic they would employ repeatedly, the Eagles isolated Moyer for a breakaway attempt in which she used her speed to sprint past the last defender, beating the goalie to the right side.

"Obviously, she's a state champion in sprinting, so she's fast," Parson said. "I mean she absolutely takes advantage of her speed when she can."

Scott scored her first goal of the game with 19:02 left in the first half — a header off a corner kick, which tied the game, 1-1.

But perhaps the game's pivotal moment came eight minutes later, when Christel Tanner was tripped by Argo, who received a red card, allowing Tanner a free kick.

With three defenders lined up at her face, Tanner slipped a shot past Jackson for a one-goal advantage.

The Clarke County unit upped its lead to two goals with 5:28 left in the first half.

Moyer, who missed on a pair of breakaway chances later in the second half, added her second goal of the game on a rebound attempt.

"It is a little disappointing, a little frustrating because we really had control of that game for the longest time," Moyer said. "And just the second we let down — no matter if it's a minute or ten seconds — they're able to connect some passes and finish on their opportunities."

The Mustangs, who are 8-2-2, 6-0-1, scored the contest's final two goals, coming on a long free kick from Rachel Kazman and Scott's game saver.

Clarke County head coach Laurie Harrell noted the heart of her team, featuring seven underclassmen, following the game, emphasizing the quality performance in what she called a rebuilding year.

"We wanted it, just didn't quite finish it," Harrell said. "But we wanted it, so maybe next time it'll be there."

*Contact Tim Tassa at ttassa@nvdaily.com

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