FAIRFAX, Va. - Fighting wind and rain, the George Mason women's soccer team avenged a pair of 2010 losses to defending Colonial Athletic Association champion James Madison Sunday afternoon in a 1-0 fashion at George Mason Stadium. Sophomore Nicole Clark netted the game-winner at the seven minute mark as the Patriots picked up their first conference victory of the season, improving to 4-4-4 overall and 1-1-2 in league play. James Madison dipped to 5-5-2, 2-2-1.
"I am proud of our girls," stated head coach Diane Drake. "We were disciplined in the back again, producing our second shutout in a row. I thought we wanted it more today than JMU and played with passion."
The Patriots wasted no time grabbing the early lead in the first half. Tiana Kallenberger opened the stanza putting a shot on goal with the match not four minutes old. The Patriot carried the ball down the center of the field and found an open net as Duke goalkeeper Kate Courter tried to cut off the play, but Kallenberger's shot was deflected.
Just three and a half minutes later, Mason registered the lone goal of the contest. Clark finished a Zania Barnum pass from the far side, sending a blast from 20-yards out into the right corner of the net for the 1-0 lead and eventual game-winner.
The Mason defense turned on the pressure, limiting the Dukes to four shots in the opening stanza with their first look coming on a blocked Sam Lofton shot in the 28th minute. JMU's best opportunity came in the 34th minute when Lofton sent a cross from the left side finding Haley Miller at the top of the box, but Lyndse Hokanson was in position for her first of five saves in the contest. At the break, Mason held a narrow 5-4 advantage in shots, including a 3-2 advantage in shots on goal.
The second half battle saw the Patriots post all six shots taken on frame, while the Dukes put three shots on goal. Ariana Ruela posed a pair of threats two minutes apart as Hokanson scooped up both attempts to keep the Dukes off the scoreboard.
Mason had a couple of opportunities late in the game, but Courter came up strong for the Dukes, picking up the saves. In the 79th minute, Liz Hodges fed a pass to Crissy Parker in the middle of the box, but Courter scooped up Parker's attempt for the save. Mason's final look came in the 84th minute when Courter was forced to make a reaching save on a Jazmin Cardoso shot to the upper right corner.
Both teams registered 11 shots in the match with the Patriots owning a 9-5 shots on goal advantage. Courter recorded eight saves for the Dukes as Hokanson made five stops en route to her second career shutout. Kallenberger led Mason with three shots, two on frame, followed by Clark and Mary Kate Lowry each with two shots.
"This win will hopefully be the catalyst to get us where we need to be in seven games," noted Drake. "We will enjoy this moment and get back to work Tuesday in preparation for two very strong opponents in Northeastern and Hofstra next weekend."
The win marks the first victory over James Madison since a 2-1 decision in 2008 on the road. The Patriots tied the Dukes at home in 2004 and last defeated the conference foe at home in 2001.
Mason continues this three-game homestand welcoming Northeastern on Friday, October 7. Match time is slated for a 6 p.m. start for the Game of the Week.
