Oct. 16, 2003

WILMINGTON, NC ... Senior Jennifer Orr provided George Mason with an early lead, but host UNC Wilmington rallied to defeat the Patriots, 2-1, in a Colonial Athletic Association women's soccer game Thursday night at the UNCW Soccer Stadium.

The Patriots, ranked seventh in this week's NSCAA and Soccer Buzz Mid-Atlantic Region polls, fall to 7-3-3 and 2-1-1 in the CAA with the loss. The Seahawks improved to 8-5-1 overall and 2-1-1 in the CAA with the victory.

The Patriots opened the scoring at 23:15 when Orr drove a free kick through the heart of the UNCW defense and the ball skipped past Seahawk goalie Tiffany Langford for a 1-0 GMU edge.

Sophomore midfielder Jen Knoblich answered for UNCW with the equalizer less than seven minutes later, however, taking a pass from Jenn Bartuca and driving in a 20-yard blast at 29:43.

With the score tied at 1-all, Seahawk reserve midfielder Justine Hammer broke through above the penalty box and slapped the ball to senior Blair Strickland, who sent home the game-winner over the outstretched arms of Mason junior goalkeeper Sarah Coughlin at 78:07.

The Seahawks built a 14-3 advantage in shots and held the Patriots to just one shot after intermission. George Mason entered the contest unbeaten (4-0-1) in its previous five contests.

Langford had one save in goal for the Seahawks. Coughlin, meanwhile, made seven saves and had a scoreless streak of 394:48 snapped with Knoblich's goal in the first period.

The Patriots visit Virginia Commonwealth on Saturday for a 7 p.m. clash with the Rams.

Scoring
GMU		Jennifer Orr (Unassisted)		23:15
UNCW		Jen Knoblich (Jenn Bartuca)		29:43
UNCW		Blair Strickland (Justine Hammer)	78:07

Shots:		UNCW 13, GMU 3
Corner Kicks:	UNCW 7, GMU 4
Fouls:		GMU 15, UNCW 9
Offsides:	UNCW 1, GMU 0
Goalkeepers:	UNCW, Tiffany Langford, 1 save, 1 GA, 90:00
		GMU, Sarah Coughlin, 7 saves, 2 GA, 90:00