Sept. 26, 2003

FAIRFAX, VA ... Junior Dianna Russini scored the "Golden Goal" in the 106th minute of play as George Mason defeated William & Mary, 2-1 in double overtime, in a Colonial Athletic Association women's college soccer game Friday at George Mason Stadium.

George Mason snapped a three-game non-winning streak as it improved to 4-2-2 overall and to 1-0 in the CAA as both teams opened conference play. The Patriots are 3-0-2 in overtime this season and are unbeaten (6-0-2) in their last eight contests that have gone to "extra time." William & Mary fell to 4-4-1 overall, 0-1 in the CAA.

The game-winning play began with sophomore Danielle MacDonald sending a cross from the left wing. Russini broke in front of a William & Mary defender and sent a 10-yard diving header inside the left post for her second goal of the season at 105:57 to give the Patriots the victory.

George Mason took the lead at 29:40 as junior Sarah Wilkinson took a short pass from sophomore Amy Alecci and drilled an 18-yard shot into the right side of the net for her second goal of the year. The Patriot defense maintained the shutout until the late minutes of the second half, when the Tribe increased the pressure and finally found the back of the net with the equalizer.

Mason junior goalkeeper Sarah Coughlin saved point-blank shots by freshman Katie Hogwood and junior Taline Tahmassian in the 86th minute, but a minute later, the Tribe struck. Tahmassian's corner kick was headed out, but junior Shannon Mosier drilled a low 16-yard shot through the defense and inside the right post for her first William & Mary goal at 86:17.

The Tribe held a 12-9 advantage in shots for the game. Coughlin had six saves for the Patriots, while senior Nikki Villott had five saves for William & Mary.

George Mason continues a six-game homestand as it hosts Old Dominion Sunday at 1 p.m., while William & Mary travels to James Madison Sunday at 1 p.m.

GAME SUMMARY

					1	2	1OT	2OT	F
William & Mary (4-4-1, 0-1 CAA)		0	1	0	0	1
George Mason (4-2-2, 1-0 CAA)		1	0	0	1	2

GOALS:	        W&M - Shannon Mosier (Taline Tahmassian), 86:17
(Assists)	GMU - Sarah Wilkinson (Amy Alecci), 29:40; Dianna Russini (Danielle MacDonald), 105:57
SHOTS:		W&M - 12
		GMU - 9
SAVES:		W&M - Nikki Villott - 5 (105:57)
		GMU - Sarah Coughlin - 6 (105:57); Defender saves - 1
CORNERS:	W&M - 10
		GMU - 7
FOULS:		W&M - 11
		GMU - 18
CAUTIONS:	W&M - Keri Gordon (65:41)
		GMU - None