Oct. 26, 2007

Box Score

Richmond, Va. - The George Mason women's soccer team played a high-energy, low-scoring game on Friday night at VCU and while Mason did not come away with a win, the Patriots did manage to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season as Mason and the Rams tied 1-1 at Sports Backers Stadium.

The Patriots (7-8-1, 3-5-1) got on the board first as L.J. Williams came away with a steal just outside the Mason box. She took the ball to midfield where she found Kelly Keelan. Keelan was fouled and she nailed the ensuing direct kick from 35 yards out to make it 1-0.

Less than two minutes later, the Rams (8-7-2, 5-3-1) evened the score. Off a corner kick by Megan Flanagan, Samara Stephen-Dowd had a header blocked by a VCU player but she gathered the rebound and crossed to Francesca Gioeli on the left side and she put the ball in to tie it at 1-1.

The Rams had a stellar scoring opportunity in the 34th minute as Laurel Pastor broke away and had a 1v1 chance with Mason goalkeeper Kasey Davenport. But Davenport made a stellar save and the game remained 1-1. In the 42nd minute, Stephen-Dowd had a header from about 5 yards out off a direct kick and again Davenport was there to make the stop.

At the half Davenport had four saves on five shots on goal while Emily Niman had one save on two shots on goal. The Rams outshot Mason 14-3 with Keelan responsible for all of Mason's offense.

In the first six minute of the second half, each time had a scoring opportunity. First, VCU had a corner kick which did not result in a shot. Then Mason had a chance when Sarah Fack found Rachel Wiggins in the box but she was forced to pass the ball out to Keelan whose shot was wide. In the 52nd minute, Fack had a 1v1 from nine yards out but Niman made a kick save to keep the Patriots off the board.

In the 83rd minute, VCU had a direct kick from just outside the box. In traffic, Stephanie Power put a shot on goal that a diving Davenport stopped. The following minute, L.J. Williams had a shot on goal from 20 yards out but Niman made the grab. Mason had a terrific scoring opportunity in the 85th minute but Keelan was flagged for a questionable offside on a breakaway.

Mason dominated early in the first overtime with three different scoring chances. Later in the period, VCU had several scoring opportunities but neither team capitalized. In the 104th minute, Annie Lebherz had a breakaway but the wet turf slowed her shot and Niman made the save. In the 106th minute, Laurel Pastor nearly ended the match but her open look went wide. In the 107th minute, Mason had a corner kick but Keelan's bender was just high, hitting the crossbar.

In the 109th minute, Gioeli nearly ended the game with her second goal but her point-blank shot was deflect at the last moment by Davenport. The ensuing corner kick for VCU did not result in a shot on goal. The Patriots countered with a long Lebherz charge, but the VCU defense rallied to deny a last-second shot.

Mason next takes the field on Sunday when the Patriots host James Madison at 3 p.m.