Oct. 11, 2008

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - Sophomore forward Irvin Martinez netted the game-winning goal off of a free kick in the 88th minute to complete a come-from-behind 2-1 victory for George Mason (6-4-1, 2-2-0 CAA) against Colonial Athletic Association rival James Madison (5-5-2, 2-3-0 CAA) on Saturday evening at George Mason Stadium.

In a physical match featuring 29 fouls and four yellow cards, the two sides played scoreless soccer well into the second half. In the 72nd minute of play, James Madison scored the first goal of the match off of a CJ Sapong blast from the left side of the box. Neither team scored again until the Patriots mounted a furious rally with less than six minutes remaining.

In the 85th minute, the Patriots got the equalizer. Irvin Martinez dribbled the ball up the middle of the field before passing off to senior Lucas Pardew, who was streaking down the right side of the field. After receiving the ball from Irvin Martinez, Pardew crossed the ball to sophomore Parker Walton, who headed the ball past JMU goalkeeper Justin Epperson to tie the score at one.

It took Mason merely three minutes to score the game-winner. After a James Madison foul set up a free kick, both Ryan Gracia and Irvin Martinez lined up near the ball. Irvin Martinez came forward to take the kick, lofting a perfectly placed shot over a wall of Dukes' defenders and off the tip of Epperson's left hand to give the Patriots a 2-1 lead with only two minutes remaining in the match.

Following the goal by Irvin Martinez, James Madison frantically tried to tie the score but their final chance, a shot by junior Joel Senior, sailed high, preserving the Patriot victory. With the win, George Mason snaps a two-match losing streak, while earning a crucial conference victory to improve to .500 in CAA play with a matchup at Delaware looming. Mason hits the road for its next contest, traveling to Newark, Del. to take on the Fightin' Blue Hens in a 7 p.m. match on Wednesday, Oct. 15.