Oct. 15, 2008

Box Score

NEWARK, Del. - The George Mason men's soccer team fell behind early and were unable to complete a comeback, falling 2-1 to the University of Delaware on Wednesday evening at the Delaware Mini Stadium in Newark, Del. The Patriots record stands at 6-5-1 overall and 2-3-0 in CAA matches following the loss while the Fightin' Blue Hens improve to 2-8-3 overall and 1-2-1 in conference play.

George Mason fell behind early when freshman Andy Streilein scored 3:01 after the start of the match. Sophomore Andrew Englehart took a shot that was turned away by Patriots' junior goalkeeper Sean Kelley, who ranged to his left to make the save. However, the ball caromed off Kelley's hands to a waiting Streilein, who knocked the rebound into the back of the net to give the Fightin' Blue Hens an early one-goal lead.

After the intermission, Delaware added to its lead when sophomore Courtney Hewitt scored his first goal of the season off of a breakaway in the 62nd minute. Junior Paul Danaher earned an assist on the goal for the Fightin' Blue Hens.

Trailing by two goals, the Patriots cut into the deficit with a score in the 72nd minute. After Delaware goalkeeper Conrad Rusnak turned away senior Kwame Adjeman-Pamboe's shot attempt, senior Lucas Pardew made a quick move into the box, gathered the rebound and knocked the ball into the right side of the net to make the score 2-1.

Mason had one final chance to tie the score when it was awarded a corner kick in the final minute of play. Kelley left the net to join his teammates on the offensive side of the field while sophomore Irvin Martinez launched a cross toward the goal. However, the Patriots were unable to come away with a score as the time on the clock ticked away.

The Patriots remain on the road for their next contest, traveling to Parsons Field in Boston, Mass. to take on the Northeastern Huskies at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18. Northeastern is in first place in the Colonial Athletic Association standings with a 5-2-5 overall record and 3-0-2 mark in conference matches. The Huskies tied Towson 1-1 in double overtime on Wednesday afternoon in Towson, Md.