Sept. 15, 2008

The George Mason women's soccer team will host Howard University on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. as the Patriots look to get back on the winning track and keep the Bison from snapping a six-match losing streak. Mason enters the contest after dropping its first home match of the season, losing to Indiana on Friday night. Howard is 1-6-0 and has suffered six straight shutouts.

The Patriots have played six matches this season with three of them close defensive struggles. Mason has come away with a 2-1-0 record in those affairs. When the two teams combine for more than two goals, the Patriots have a 0-3-0 mark. Mason will look to keep the Bison off the board as Howard has been outscored 21-1 this year with the lone goal coming in overtime of the season opener against VMI, giving the Bison a 1-0 victory. Rachael Lee scored that one goal, unassisted. The Bison have just 16 players on their roster and every member of the team has started at least one game. Jessamyn Perkins has played every minute in net for Howard with 70 saves on 91 shots.

The Patriots had held the opposition scoreless for more than 230 minutes before Indiana struck in the first half on Friday night. Mason will look to reclaim the defensive mindset against the Bison. Kelly Keelan has started all six games for the Patriots with a team-high two goals. She also has two shutouts in net and a 2-2 mark at goal keeper. Jessica Paris is second on the team with three points, all off assists. Kelly Thomas and Annie Lebherz each have two assists as well. Kimmy Moss, Sasha Vido, Theresa DeLucca and Patti Benner all have one goal on the season.

With two matches remaining before the start of conference play, Mason will look to get to .500 this week before embarking on a tough Colonial Athletic Association schedule. After facing Howard on Tuesday, Mason will play at Longwood on Saturday afternoon. Mason has won at least three times prior to non-conference play in every season since 2002.