Aug. 30, 2003

FAIRFAX, VA ... George Mason scored three goals in the second half to pull away to a 4-2 victory over Virginia Tech in a non-conference women's college soccer game Saturday at George Mason Stadium.

George Mason improves to 1-0 as it won its season-opening game for the first time since a 3-0 victory over Navy to begin the 2000 season. Virginia Tech dropped to 0-1 as it also opened its 2003 season.

Virginia Tech was better on the offensive end for much of the first half, outshooting the Patriots 6-3 in the period and forcing Mason junior goalkeeper Sarah Coughlin to make two excellent saves. But the Patriots would break the ice first as sophomore Amy Sorenson took a pass from junior Allison Cowan and found the back of the net from 12 yards out at 33:08 for a 1-0 lead.

The Hokies tied the score at 55:08 as senior Kathy Holdsworth scored off an assist by senior Nina Figueroa to tie the score at 1-1, but Mason would score twice in the next 11 minutes to take control of the contest. Freshman Rachel Wiggins scored her first collegiate goal as she touched in a cross from junior Sarah Wilkinson at the left post at 58:39 to put the Patriots back in front, then Wiggins returned the favor as she fed a through ball to Wilkinson, who sent a 15-yard shot inside the right post at 66:04 for a 3-1 lead.

George Mason pushed the margin to 4-1 at 87:57 as Hokies freshman goalkeeper Mallory Soldner saved a shot by Patriots sophomore Danielle MacDonald, but freshman Kristine Gray was there to knock in the rebound. Holdsworth scored her second goal of the game at 89:22, taking the ball off a defender and sending a shot into the upper-left corner of the net from 15 yards out to cap the scoring for Virginia Tech.

Coughlin made seven saves for the Patriots, while Soldner had five saves for the Hokies. Virginia Tech outshot Mason, 15-10, on the evening.

George Mason visits Georgetown Wednesday at 4 p.m.

GAME SUMMARY

				1	2	FINAL
Virginia Tech (0-1)		0	2	2
George Mason (1-0)		1	3	4

GOALS:	        VT - Kathy Holdsworth (Nina Figueroa), 55:08; Holdsworth (unassisted), 89:22
(Assists)	GMU - Amy Sorenson (Allison Cowan), 33:08; Rachel Wiggins (Sarah Wilkinson), 58:39;
			Sarah Wilkinson (Wiggins), 66:04; Kristine Gray (Danielle MacDonald), 87:57
SHOTS:		VT - 15
		GMU - 10
SAVES:		VT - Mallory Soldner - 5 (90 minutes)
		GMU - Sarah Coughlin - 7 (90 minutes)
CORNERS:	VT - 7
		GMU - 6
FOULS:		VT - 8
		GMU - 10
CAUTIONS:	VT - None
		GMU - None