April 23, 2009

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason put the finishing touches on its 2009 women's lacrosse season with an 8-7 Colonial Athletic Association win over James Madison on Thursday evening at George Mason Stadium. The Patriots took an 8-5 lead with 12:29 remaining in the game and held on for the win.

With the win, Mason snapped a six-game losing streak and ended its 2009 season with a 6-10 overall record and 2-5 record in the CAA. James Madison ends its season with a 5-11 overall record and 1-6 record in CAA games. After beginning the season with a perfect 3-0 record, the Dukes ended their season with just two wins in their final 13 games.

The two sides entered the half with the score tied at four. After the intermission, the Patriots scored four of the first five goals to take an 8-5 lead with 12:29 left in the contest. The three-goal lead held up until Jessie Heisterman scored with 4:34 remaining to pull the Dukes within two. Jaime Dardine scored her 34th goal of the season just 28 seconds later to pull James Madison within a goal. After Dardine's goal, Mason's defensive unit held JMU scoreless for the final 4:06 to earn the one-goal victory.

Sophomore Madalyn Jamison came close to tying George Mason's single-season record for assists in the game. With two assists in the contest, Jamison ended her season with 30, one shy of the school record of 31 set in 2003 by Kristy Manas. Jamison added two goals in the game for 29 on the season, also a team-high.

Sophomore Chelsea Gamble was the Patriots' leading point-scorer in the game, finishing with five on three goals and two assists. Gamble also caused three turnovers in the contest.

Thursday's game was the final game in the careers of George Mason's senior class of attacker Brittany Berger, defender Maggie Bridges and midfielder Alana Chan. Brittany Berger scored the game-winning goal and added an assist and a caused turnover in the contest. Bridges, the reigning CAA Defensive Player of the Year, finished with a caused turnover, two ground balls and two draw controls. Chan had an assist, two ground balls and two draw controls in the game.

James Madison was led by sophomore Mary Kate Lomady's three goals. Senior Jaime Dardine added a pair of goals in a losing effort.