ATHOL — Playing his first game as a varsity goalie, Casey Mason sure got tested for the Athol boys soccer team in a 2-0 loss to Easthampton, Thursday night.
Easthampton peppered Mason throughout the game, but the freshman was up to the challenge. Using a variety of different tactics to make stops: punching the ball, using his feet as well as his upper body.
One thing is certainly clear for the Red Raiders, they have found their goalie.
“Tyler Guerin, our goalkeeper coach, has been working hard with him,” Athol coach David King said. “I am really happy with his performance (Mason), he was a standout tonight.”
Mason made 16 saves for Athol (0-1).
“At practice, whatever coach tells me to do, I just do it,” Mason said.
The Eagles offense unloaded on Mason with 28 shots.
“It’s hard when you are always moving,” Mason said. “But you just have to get there at the right time and just stop it.”
During the second half when fatigue might have set in for the Red Raiders, a couple shots rifled past Mason.
“I think we were fatigued all night,” King said. “We’ve been practicing in the heat so we thought we could handle it.”
Henry Ferland scored for the Eagles, one-timing a cross from Mohamed Zabir early in the second half to make it 1-0.
In the 64th minute, Adam Johndrow launched a flat, laser-type shot from outside the 18-yard to make it 2-0 for Easthampton.
The Red Raiders could not get going on offense, with a few scattered chances during the game.
Bryce King went down in the first half in quite a bit of pain.
“He took a hit in the middle of the field and his body kind of shut down,” King said. “I think it was pretty early to come up cramping. He will be fine.”
Angel Rivera and Maysin Tarbell were very active for the Red Raiders. Mark Ferrari missed the game due to injury.
The Mahar boys soccer team’s game against at Greenfield was postponed, rescheduled date to be determined.
Mahar had its game postponed against Holyoke due to the heat index. The Senators will play Friday at 4 p.m. at Holyoke.
