BUCKINGHAM – The Buckingham County High School soccer team faced a tough task in its Region B Tournament Semifinal match against George Mason, and despite playing the visiting Mustangs close in the first half, the Knights faltered down the stretch to go on to lose 7-0 against the two-time defending Group A State Champions.

George Mason got on the board in the sixth minute on a goal from midfielder Jason Robarge from 25-yards out. It was an omen of things to come, as Robarge had a total of four goals on the evening.

Buckingham trailed just 2-0 at the half, and was in the game, but the playoff-savvy Mustangs turned things up on offense and almost seemed to score at will.

The Knights suffered just their third loss on the season. Buckingham will lose six players to graduation, including James River District Player of the Year Russell Taylor, Marco Knezevic, Charles Fenaux, Noah Schaffer, Austin Hinds and Dominique Nguyen to graduation.

In all, nine starters will return to a squad that won its first-ever James River District championship and Region B Tournament match. However, the district will get much tougher with the additions of Goochland, Nottoway and Bluestone.