Nov. 2, 2007

Box Score

BROOKLINE, Mass. - George Mason held Northeastern scoreless late into the match on Friday evening at Parsons Field in Brookline, Mass. before surrendering a goal to senior forward Ahmed Talaat in the 81st minute. The 1-0 loss drops the Patriots to 5-9-2 overall and 2-6-1 in the CAA on the season, while the Huskies improve to 7-8-1 and 5-3-1 in the CAA with the win.

With the score knotted at zero late in the second half, Northeastern finally got on the board when senior forward Greg Kilkenny launched the ball from the Huskies' side of the field, dropping it in front of a streaking Talaat who put several moves on a Patriot defender and knocked it in off the left post. Kilkenny's assist was his eighth of the season and puts him in a tie for the CAA lead. Talaat is now tied for second in the conference in goals scored with eight.

Mason put on the pressure in the final two minutes with freshman forward Parker Walton taking two shots on goal in an effort to send the match into overtime, but sophomore goalkeeper Mahmoud Talaat came up with the stops to protect Northeastern's lead and earn his fourth shutout of the season. Talaat finished with eight saves on the day.

Sophomore Sean Kelley played all 90 minutes in the net for the Patriots, making three saves in the contest. Sophomore midfielder Ernesto Marquez led Mason with three shots in the match.

Northeastern is now 5-1-1 in its last seven matches and is 6-1 this year when playing at Parsons Field. Meanwhile, George Mason, in the midst of a four-match road swing to close out the season, is winless in its last six contests. The Patriots won their last match on Oct. 12 at Delaware.

Mason will attempt to reverse its recent fortunes when it returns to action on Sunday, Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. against Hofstra in Hempstead, N.Y. before closing out the 2007 season with a match against Towson on Thursday, Nov. 8 at 3 p.m. in Towson, Md.