Oct. 1, 2003
FAIRFAX, VA ... Junior Dianna Russini scored in the 50th minute and the George Mason defense held off a determined Pennsylvania squad to defeat the Quakers, 1-0, in a non-conference women's college soccer game Wednesday at George Mason Stadium.
George Mason remained unbeaten (2-0-1) in its last three games as it improved to 5-2-3 with the victory, while Pennsylvania dropped its second consecutive game as it fell to 3-2-2. The Patriots and Quakers entered the game tied for 10th in the NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Region poll this week.
Neither team mounted much offense in the first half of the game, which had been rescheduled from Sept. 19 due to Hurricane Isabel. But George Mason gained the advantage early in the second half as Russini took a deflected pass from junior Allison Cowan at the top of the goalie box and sent an eight-yard shot inside the right post for her third goal of the season at 49:12.
The Quakers mounted a solid offensive attack through the remainder of the half, holding an 8-3 advantage in shots in the final 45 minutes (11-6 for the game), but could not find the back of the net. Penn's best opportunity came in the 55th minute as sophomore Carolyn Cross dribbled in from the left corner and sent a low pass along the end line to sophomore Robin Watson, whose shot was cleared off the goalline by Patriot sophomore Danielle MacDonald near the right post.
George Mason junior goalkeeper Sarah Coughlin had two saves as Mason recorded its second shutout of the season, while Quakers junior Anna Halse had one save.
George Mason returns to Colonial Athletic Association play Saturday as it travels to James Madison to meet the Dukes at 7 p.m.
GAME SUMMARY
1 2 F
Pennsylvania (3-2-2) 0 0 0
George Mason (5-2-3) 0 1 1
GOALS: PENN - None
(Assists) GMU - Dianna Russini (Allison Cowan), 49:12
SHOTS: PENN - 11
GMU - 6
SAVES: PENN - Anna Halse - 1 (90 minutes)
GMU - Sarah Coughlin - 2 (76:20); Olivia Brown - 0 (13:40); Team saves - 1
CORNERS: PENN - 5
GMU - 3
FOULS: PENN - 10
GMU - 8
CAUTIONS: PENN - None
GMU - None
