April 24, 2004
Box Score
FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason and Virginia Tech each scored one goal in the second half, but it was sophomore Stephanie Jones' netter with 13:13 remaining that made the difference, as the Hokies, playing in their final game of the season, upset the 18th-ranked Patriots, 5-4, Saturday afternoon at GMU Stadium. George Mason suffers its first loss to an unranked team this year and falls to 6-8 overall, while VT snaps a three-game losing skid and concludes its season with an 8-8 mark.
It was the first series win for Tech over Mason in eight tries and earned the Hokies their first non-losing season and the most wins for the program since 2000. Jones led all scorers with three goals, while seniors Lindsey Welch and Kate Threadgold each totaled one goal. The Patriots received scores from sophomore attacker Sarah Bryant (Fairfax Station, VA), junior attacker Tracy Waterson (Niskayuna, NY), and seniors Lisa Hagan (Collingswood, NJ) and Kristen Olson (Aurora, CO). The four goals scored by Mason are its fewest since tallying three against then No. 3 Loyola on April 3, 2002.
With Tech leading 5-3, Patriot junior goalkeeper Meg Dentler (Crofton, MD) caused a turnover with 3:21 left in the game. Dentler put the ball in play and the Mason offense transitioned it into scoring range where junior Kristy Manas (Harwood, MD) found Bryant in front of the crease and she scored with 2:49 remaining. The Hokies won the ensuing draw control, but junior Brandi Evans (Fort Howard, MD) also caused a turnover and the Mason offense went to work again to tie the match. The Patriots had two shot attempts in the final seconds, but couldn't find the mark, resulting in the final 5-4 score.
Hagan and Olson gave Mason a 2-0 lead in the first two minutes of the game, but Threadgold and Jones would tie it at 2-2 with 16:14 left in the first half. Waterson's netter at 10:27 gave the Patriots a one-goal advantage. Welch responded with 8:59 left to tie and Jones sent the Hokies into halftime with a 4-3 lead after scoring with 18 seconds remaining in the frame. In the second period, Tech won both draw controls and used a stalling technique on every possession, thus limiting the Patriots' offensive touches.
Both goalkeepers played well as Dentler made 12 saves, stopping all four of Tech's free position attempts, and VT keeper Jamie McGraw also posted 12 saves, including eight in the second period.
George Mason plays its final home game of the regular season Monday at 7 p.m. against American.
Line Score
Virginia Tech (8-8) - 4-1=5
No. 18 George Mason (6-8) - 3-1=4
Goals-Assists: GMU- Lisa Hagan 1-0,
Sarah Bryant 1-0,
Kristen Olson 1-0,
Tracy Waterson 1-0,
Kristy Manas 0-1;
VT- Stephanie Jones 3-0, Lindsey Welch 1-0, Kate Threadgold 1-0, Hilary Fay 0-1, Kelsey Mays 0-1;
Goalkeepers: GMU- Meg Dentler 12 svs, 5 GA;
VT-Jamie McGraw 12 svs, 4 GA
Team Shots GB CTs TOs FPS Fouls DC
George Mason 22 17 10 11 0-1 17 4
Virginia Tech 22 16 8 9 0-4 9 6
