Nov. 4, 2003

NEWARK, DE, Nov. 4, 2003 ... George Mason scored twice in the second half to defeat Delaware, 2-1, in the quarterfinal round of the Colonial Athletic Association Women's Soccer Championship Tuesday afternoon at Delaware Mini-Stadium.

George Mason, seeded sixth in the CAA Championship, won its second straight game as it improved to 9-6-5, while No. 3 seed Delaware finished the 2003 season with a mark of 10-6-3. The Patriots are 10-8 in nine appearances in the CAA Championship.

George Mason advances to the CAA Championship semifinals Friday in Hempstead, NY, where it will meet second-seeded Virginia Commonwealth (10-5-3) at 5 p.m. Top-seeded and tournament host Hofstra (13-2-3) will face the winner of tonight's game between No. 4 William & Mary and No. 5 James Madison on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the other semifinal. The championship game is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. at Hofstra.

Delaware opened the scoring in the first half when Patriot junior goalkeeper Sarah Coughlin missed a clearing attempt on a ball played forward by Blue Hen Francesca Termini and Trish Breault ran on it and put it into the net at 24:48.

George Mason knotted the game early in the second half as sophomore Kristin Portell scored her first collegiate goal on a penalty kick at 46:28. The penalty kick was awarded after Patriot sophomore Danielle MacDonald drove into the penalty area and was taken down by a Blue Hen defender.

MacDonald scored her first goal of the season at 65:45 to provide the game-winner for the Patriots. Taking a long pass, MacDonald broke free on the goal and had her first shot saved by Delaware goalkeeper Bonnie Mills, but she put the rebound in the net for a 2-1 Mason lead. The Patriot defense, led by Coughlin with six saves, then held off the Fightin' Blue Hens the rest of the way for the victory.

Delaware played today's contest without CAA assist leader Caryn Blood. Blood, a senior tri-captain, was unable to play due to a serious leg infection.

GAME SUMMARY

				1	2	F
No. 6 George Mason (9-6-5)	0	2	2
No. 3 Delaware (10-6-3)		1	0	1

GOALS:	        GMU - Kristin Portell (PK), 46:28; Danielle MacDonald (unassisted), 65:45
(Assists)	UD - Trisha Breault (Francesca Termini), 24:48
SHOTS:		GMU - 9
		UD - 12
SAVES:		GMU - Sarah Coughlin - 6 (90 minutes)
		UD - Bonnie Mills - 3 (90 minutes)
CORNERS:	GMU - 1
		UD - 2
FOULS:		GMU - 18
		UD - 9
CAUTIONS:	GMU - Jennifer Orr (82:28)
		UD - None