Oct. 22, 2010

Box Score

Newark, Del. - It was a dream scenario for the George Mason women's soccer team. Play three teams near the bottom of the standings over the season's final three games while the leaders beat up on each other. Use the schedule to their advantage and earn a spot in the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament. Hofstra, James Madison and Northeastern all gave Mason the help it needed on Friday but the Patriots didn't do their part as Mason (9-7-1, 5-4 CAA) lost at Delaware (6-10-1, 2-6-1) by a score of 1-0.

It was a cold evening in Newark and the Patriots seemed sluggish at times. Delaware was by far the more aggressive team and that's not just because the Blue Hens committed 23 fouls to Mason's 13. The Blue Hens dominated possession and made the most of their four shots on goal as Ilyssa Friedman's blast from 40 yards out off a past from Leigh Victory in the 47th minute proved to be the game-winner.

Mason had chances late in the match. Zoe Doherty had a point-blank shot but put the ball into the arms of keeper Breanna Stemler, who had seven saves on the night. Nicole Peters also had a terrific opportunity as her shot from 10 yards out hit the crossbar but no Mason player followed and after Peters and Stemler collided going for the rebounds, Delaware cleared the ball.

Now, rather than be in the driver's seat tied for third, which is where Mason would have been with a win, the Patriots remain in fifth and need some help down the stretch. Assuming Mason wins both remaining matches, at Drexel on Sunday at 1 p.m. and at Towson on Friday at 2 p.m., here are the scenarios Mason needs:
Georgia State to lose or tie once, either at Northeastern on Sunday or against UNCW next Saturday.
UNC Wilmington, which plays at Hofstra on Sunday, to lose twice, or tie twice, or lose once and tie once.
James Madison, which plays at ODU on Sunday and host VCU next Friday, to lose twice or tie twice or lose once and tie once.

Mason can also get in to the tournament with one win and a tie, or two ties or one tie, but in each scenario, the amount of help they need becomes greater and greater.