March 26, 2008

Box Score

WASHINGTON, D.C. - No. 12 George Mason traveled to nearby Washington, D.C. to take on the top team in the Patriot League, the American Eagles, on Wednesday afternoon at Jacobs Field. The Patriots continued their winning ways with a 15-7 victory over the Eagles to extend their school-record winning streak to six consecutive games.

George Mason's 7-1 record after eight contests is the best start to a season in the 15-year history of the program. Mason has not lost since Feb. 27 at No. 9 Georgetown. The winning streak began on March 1 when Mason defeated in-state rival Virginia Tech and has included wins over George Washington, Iona College, then-No. 18 Boston University and Saint Joseph's in addition to today's victory.

After tying her career high with six goals in the Patriots' 14-6 win over Saint Joseph's on Saturday, junior attacker Brittany Berger continued her hot shooting against American, giving the Patriots the early lead with a goal 3:34 into the game. Berger tallied two more goals in the half as Mason stormed to a 6-2 lead at the break.

After the break, the Eagles cut into the lead with a goal at the 26:15 mark by senior attacker Jackie Lane. Berger answered right back with a goal off of a free-position shot with 24:08 remaining to jumpstart a 4-0 Patriots' scoring run to take a 10-3 lead.

American answered with a goal by junior attacker Kira Sonberg at the 16:39 mark. However, senior attacker Laura King quickly silenced any hope of an Eagle comeback by slashing to the goal and firing a shot past goalkeeper Kristine Vida to give Mason a seven-goal lead. After King's goal, the Patriots tallied four goals while the Eagles scored three for the final margin of victory.

Berger and King both scored four goals for the Patriots, who held an overwhelming 34-17 advantage in shots. Freshman defender Caitlin Hoffen finished with a game-high nine ground balls.

Lane led the Eagles with three goals, five ground balls and two caused turnovers. Vida finished with 15 saves in 60 minutes between the pipes.

After taking this weekend off, George Mason begins its Colonial Athletic Association schedule on Friday, April 4 with a 7 p.m. game against Old Dominion at George Mason Stadium.