April 18, 2008

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - No. 12 George Mason used a 9-0 run during the final 23:20 of the first half to propel the Patriots to a 13-6 victory over the Drexel Dragons in Colonial Athletic Association women's lacrosse action on Friday evening at George Mason Stadium. With the win, the Patriots improve to 11-3 overall, 4-1 in the CAA and a perfect 6-0 at home with one more home contest remaining.

With tonight's win, George Mason improved upon its school-record win total. Before this year, Mason had never reached double-digit wins in the 15-year history of the program. With one more win in their final two games, both against CAA opponents, the Patriots will equal the school-record for conference wins in a season with five. Mason was 5-2 in CAA contests during the 2005 season. The Patriots have never completed an undefeated season in front of the home crowd at George Mason Stadium, a feat that is within reach with only one more home game remaining.

The Dragons, who fell to 10-6 overall and 2-4 in the CAA with the loss, have played opponents tough away from home all season long, with a 7-1 road record entering Friday's game. Drexel's only road loss prior to tonight was a 16-11 defeat at the hands of Delaware on April 4 at Rullo Stadium in Newark, Del.

It looked like more road magic could be in store for Drexel at the start as the Dragons scored two goals within the first seven minutes of play while holding Mason without a score. After Drexel's second score, the Patriot attack kicked it into high gear, scoring nine unanswered to take a 9-2 lead into the half. Senior midfielder Megan Bartlett, freshman attacker Madalyn Jamison and sophomore attacker Megan Udovich all found the back of the net twice during the run. Junior midfielder Alana Chan, freshman midfielder Chelsea Gamble and senior attacker Laura King also added goals during the scoring spurt.

After the intermission, Drexel scored three of the first four goals to cut Mason's lead to 10-5 with 24:24 remaining. All three goals were scored by senior attacker Nicole Adams. After Adams' third goal, Mason answered by scoring the next three goals to open up an eight-goal lead with 12:19 left in the game. Drexel's Katie Bradley scored the game's final goal at the 11:32 mark to make the final score 13-6.

George Mason held an advantage in nearly every statistical category, including shots (30-22), free-position goals (4-2), assists (7-4), points (20-10), ground balls (30-22), caused turnovers (14-4) and draw controls (13-9). The Dragons' goalie tandem of Lauren LaBella and Rachael Behrndt, who each played a single half, combined for 10 saves to the Patriots' seven. Sophomore goalkeeper Sara Longobucco played all 60 minutes in the net for George Mason, recording seven saves, four in the first half and three in the second.

Bartlett and junior attacker Brittany Berger both finished with four points for the Patriots. Bartlett scored three goals and added an assist, to go along with a career-high six ground balls, a game-high three draw controls and two caused turnovers. Berger dished out four assists and recorded two ground balls, two draw controls and a caused turnover.

Adams was the leading scorer for the Dragons with her three second-half goals. Senior Jessica Bill, senior Katie Bradley and senior Gwenna Johnson each added a goal for Drexel.

George Mason will play its final home game of the 2008 season on Sunday with a 1 p.m. matchup against Colonial Athletic Association rival Hofstra. The Patriots' senior class of Bartlett, King, Jenny Tran and Alex Velesz will be honored in a ceremony prior to the start of the game.