Oct. 8, 2008

Box Score

TOWSON, Md. - The George Mason men's soccer team (5-4-1, 1-2-0 CAA) played its second consecutive overtime contest, and fifth of the season, but were unable to come away with the win, falling 2-1 to the Towson Tigers (6-3-0, 2-1-0 CAA) on Wednesday afternoon at the Towson Center Soccer Complex in Towson, Md. Junior forward Tommy Appel-Schumacher netted the game-winning goal at 99:29 to end the match.

With less than a minute remaining in the first overtime, Towson gained possession at midfield and sent the ball toward Javier Bermudez Roa, who was open in the right corner. Bermudez Roa crossed the ball to junior Xavier Otero, and when Mason's defense converged on Otero, he quickly tapped the ball to Appel-Schumaker, who fired it into the back of the net for the game-winner.

Despite the loss, the Patriots dominated the Tigers statistically. George Mason held a 24-12 advantage in shots, including a commanding 17-3 margin in the second half, during which the Patriots were on the attack for nearly the entire half. Mason also held a 6-4 advantage in corner kicks.

Mason got on the board early on Tyler Orzak's first career goal 1:07 into the match. Freshman forward Axel Levry was fouled by Towson's Scott Horta while dribbling the ball down the right sideline, setting up a free kick. Senior Hugh Fike took the free kick, crossing the ball through the defense to the left side of the box, where a diving Orzak headed the ball past Towson freshman goalkeeper John Steele to put the Patriots up 1-0.

Towson got the equalizer in the 34th minute. After a throw-in, Towson's Cesar Cisneros found an open Liam Maloney, who knocked the ball into the upper-right corner of the net, just past the outstretched hand of Mason junior goalkeeper Sean Kelley.

Steele had a tremendous day in the net for the Tigers, tallying a career-high 11 saves, including 10 in the second half. Kelley played every minute in goal for the Patriots, recording three saves.

The Patriots return home to George Mason Stadium for their next match against James Madison on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.