RICHMOND, Va. - The George Mason men's soccer team saw a couple looks late in the game, but could not find the back of the net as the No. 18 Patriots dropped a 1-0 decision at VCU Saturday night at Sports Backers Stadium. Mason now sits at 4-3-2 overall and 1-1-0 in Colonial Athletic Association play, while VCU moves to 6-4-0, 1-1-0.

The Mason back line limited the Rams' looks as VCU was able to put only two of 12 shots taken on goal. Sean Cote picked up his lone save of the contest in 47^th minute before Yoram Mwila scored the game-winner in the 73^rd minute. The Patriots recorded 10 shots in the match led by Taylor Morgan with three and Ryan Gracia with two, as Morgan, Hugh Roberts and Timmy Mulgrew each put a shot on goal.

A pressure-filled first half on both sides of the field led to a stalemate at intermission. The Rams rattled off seven shots in the stanza, but put none on frame as the Patriots took four attempts and forced VCU goalkeeper Josh Pantazelos into one save. VCU took four shots before Mason's first, but the Patriots threatened in the 22^nd minute when Mulgrew fired an attempt from 19 yards out on the far side of the box directly into the hands of Pantazelos.

VCU saw an opportunity in the 32^nd minute on Jason Johnson's second shot of the stanza. Johnson attempted to finish a Nate Shiffman pass, but the shot went high as the teams remained scoreless.

Morgan looked to give Mason the lead in the 35^th minute when he headed a Leo Stolz service from the near side just high. As the minutes ticked down, Shiffman sent a cross from the far side finding the foot of Juan Arbelaez who blasted a shot from eight yards out going wide right at the 38:35 mark. VCU finished the period with a 7-4 shot advantage and 3-0 edge in corner kicks.

Both teams put two shots on goal in the second half as the Patriots narrowly outshot the Rams 6-5 in the period. VCU came out of intermission immediately putting a shot on goal as Johnson struck a ball from the left corner of the box forcing Cote to punch it out for his lone save of the contest. On the opposite end, Pantazelos made a diving save to his right on a Morgan strike near the net in the 55^th minute as Wesley Sever sent a shot high on the rebound.

The 59^th minute saw Stolz send a free kick to the left corner of the net, finding the head of Roberts, but Pantazelos made the diving stop to keep the Patriots off the scoreboard.

VCU broke through in the 73^rd minute when Mwila sent a shot from 20 yards out into the left corner of the net past a diving Cote for the 1-0 lead. Jose Carlos Castillo and Shiffman were credited with assists on the play. The Rams looked to extend their lead four minutes later when Ragnar Leosson set up a perfect pass from the near side to Johnson in the middle of the box, but the resulting shot went high.

Mason looked for the equalizer in the 80^th minute when Verneri Valimaa set up Gracia on the left side. Gracia had the open net as Pantazelos came out to intercept the pass, but Gracia's blast sailed wide left. 

Mason returns to the pitch welcoming Drexel to George Mason Stadium on Wednesday, October 5. Match time is slated for 7 p.m. All fans that wear Mason apparel to the game will receive $2 admission.