Feb. 8, 2003

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - George Mason dropped a 9-8 exhibition decision to host Syracuse on Saturday, February 8, in women's lacrosse action at the Carrier Dome.

The Patriots opened with a 2-0 lead after back-to-back goals from sophomore Kristy Manas and senior Jill Toomey. The Orangewomen then netted four straight goals to take a 4-2 lead with 8:48 remaining in the half. Mason closed out the first half, trailing 5-3.

After Toomey pulled the Patriots to within one, 5-4, in the seventh minute to open the second stanza, Syracuse reeled off four consecutive goals again for a 9-4 advantage with 10:04 left to play.

Mason would net four straight goals, one each from Toomey, sophomore Jeannine Ohler, junior Lisa Hagan, and freshman Kate Scott, and only trailed Syracuse by one, 9-8, with three minutes remaining in the game. Mason couldn't get that last score that it needed, resulting in the final margin.

The coaches decided, however, to play two overtimes to get their younger players some time on the field. In the overtime, the George Mason reserves outscored the Syracuse reserves, 3-1, for an 11-10 final in favor of the Patriots.

Sophomore goalkeeper Meg Dentler finished with 13 saves and allowed nine goals in 50 minutes. Reserve goalie Carolyn Whittenberg allowed one goal in 25 minutes and made three saves.

George Mason visits Maryland, Tuesday, February 25, at 2 p.m. to begin the 2003 season.

George Mason Scoring: Toomey 3-0; Manas 2-1; Scott 2-1; Hagan 1-0; Tracy Waterson 1-0; Jeannine Ohler 1-0; Brandi Evans 1-0; Amanda Thornburg 0-1