April 16, 2007

FAIRFAX, Va. - After two consecutive road games, the George Mason women's lacrosse team returns home to play the No. 5 team in the nation according to the latest IWLCA Poll, the Virginia Cavaliers, on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. at George Mason Stadium. The Patriots will attempt to snap their four-game losing streak with a win against the Cavaliers, a team Mason has yet to defeat in an eight-game all-time series dating back to 1999.

After entering Colonial Athletic Association play with a 5-3 record in eight nonconference matchups, the Patriots have stumbled since, compiling an 0-4 record in their last four games, all against CAA opponents to enter Tuesday's game with a 5-7 overall mark. Before closing out its regular season schedule with three consecutive CAA games, Mason will attempt to add another nonconference win to its slate this Tuesday; however, Virginia enters the game with some impressive credentials on the season.

The Cavaliers enter the game with an 11-3 record, including a 7-3 record against ranked opponents. A major reason for the team's success is a defense that ranks nationally among the best scoring defenses; Virginia is allowing slightly more than eight goals a game, good for sixth in the country. Goalkeeper Kendall McBrearty ranks in the top-10 among goalies in goals against average.

The Cavalier offense is led by Kate Breslin, who has had a career year already. Her 40 goals and 22 assists are both career highs. Breslin has had eight hat tricks in 14 games and has had three games with three or more assists. Blair Weymouth ranks second on the team in scoring with 33 goals and 16 assists; seven Cavaliers have reached double-digit totals in goals already.

Mason will counter the Virginia offensive attack with a defense that ranks among the best in the nation in both caused turnovers and ground balls per game. The Patriots are in the top-10 in both categories, ranking seventh in each. Sophomore defender Maggie Bridges ranks third in the entire country in ground balls per game, averaging 3.9 per contest.

The duo of junior attacker Laura King and freshman midfielder Kelly Davis will attempt to put the ball past McBrearty and into the net for Mason. King leads the team with 30 goals, while Davis is second with 28.

Tickets to Tuesday's game will cost $5 for adults and $2 for youth and senior citizens. All full-time enrolled students at George Mason University will receive free admission with a valid student ID. Tomorrow's game will be televised on tape delay on Verizon FiOS1. FiOS is Verizon's Fiber Optic television service currently available in 10 states, including Virginia.