Sept. 26, 2009

Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. - George Mason opened its 2009 Colonial Athletic Association men's soccer schedule with a 1-0 shutout of VCU on Saturday evening at Sports Backers Stadium in Richmond, Va. Sophomore Eric Zuehsow scored his second goal in as many matches to lift the Patriots to victory.

With the win, Mason improves to 5-2 on the season and 1-0 in CAA matches. VCU falls to 3-2-1 overall and 0-1 in conference contests. Saturday's match was the conference opener for both teams.

In the 40th minute, Mason broke a scoreless tie on the second goal of the season by Zuehsow. Junior Ernesto Marquez sent a corner kick into the box which was headed by Eber Martinez near the left side of the net. Zuehsow gathered the rebound and knocked the ball into the goal from seven yards out to put the Patriots up by a goal, which turned out to be the game-winner.

Senior goalkeeper Sean Kelley held his third consecutive opponent scoreless in Saturday's contest, making a pair of stops against the Rams. The Patriots have outscored opponents 7-0 during the past three matches, all wins.

The Patriots return home to take on Maryland, the defending national champions, in a rematch of last year's NCAA Second Round contest in an 8 p.m. match on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at George Mason Stadium.