March 8, 2003

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Hokies couldn't fight off a second-half George Mason rally, as the Virginia Tech lacrosse team fell to the Patriots, 13-9, Saturday afternoon in Rector Field House. The loss drops the Hokies to 0-4 this season, while George Mason moves to 2-1 overall.

The Patriots got on the board quickly, scoring on a Jill Toomey free position attempt just 42 seconds into the game, and took a 2-0 lead at the 6:04 mark. Sophomore Hilary Fay netted the Hokies' first goal less than a minute later, followed by a Jessica Lovelady goal to knot the score at 2. The teams traded points for the first 20 minutes, but Tech netted the last five goals of the half to take an 8-4 lead at the break.

George Mason struck first in the second half, but Katie Madden scored her third goal of the day at the 32:01 mark to bring the Tech margin back to four. However, it would be the last Tech goal of the game, as the Patriots scored eight unanswered to secure the come-from-behind victory.

The Hokies outshot George Mason for the game, 31-29, but managed only seven second-half shots. The Patriots also took advantage of their free-position opportunities, scoring four of their goals on free-position shots.

Madden led the Tech attack with three goals and an assist, while Lovelady added two goals. For George Mason, Toomey led the way with four goals and an assist.