FAIRFAX, Va. - Drexel junior midfielder Nathan Page scored
the game-winning goal in the fourth minute of overtime to lift the Dragons over the George Mason men's
soccer team, 1-0, on Wednesday evening at George Mason Stadium.
Drexel improved to 8-3-1 and 4-1 in the CAA, while Mason dropped to 8-4 and 1-3 in conference play.
Mason threatened to score first in the overtime session, as
junior Julio Arjona sent a free kick from just outside the box to the back
right post, but junior Hugh Roberts' header skimmed wide of the net. The
Dragons took the ball down the field, and a cross in failed to be cleared by
the Patriots, as Page picked up the ball and sent it over the head of Mason
senior keeper Dustin Butcher for the game-winning tally.
Both teams struggled to establish a tempo in the first half,
as Drexel held a 7-3 advantage in shots, while corners stood even at three
apiece. Mason's best attempts came late in the opening stanza on plays that
just missed adding to the shots column. With just under 13 minutes remaining
freshman Brice Colcombe took a throw-in from the right sideline that went
through the hands of Drexel keeper Tim Washam, but the Patriots were unable to
find the ball in front of the net for a goal. Five minutes later junior Wesley
Sever just missed on a cross by freshman Ghiles Harmouche to put Mason on the
board.
The second half was much of the same, as both teams
exchanged possession while trying to get a rhythm. An attempt in the 57th
minute nearly gave Mason a lead, but senior Taylor Morgan's header was directed
just wide of the right side of the net.
Mason saved its best attempt for the 87th minute
on a corner kick set piece. Freshman Ahmed Ismail took the corner for the
Patriots and found the head of Roberts, but Drexel's Washam made the punch save
to get the ball out of the box as the scoreboard remained blank, sending the
match to extra minutes.
Butcher played the entirety for Mason, recording three
saves, while Washam came up with two. For the match, Drexel had a slight 10-9
shot advantage while corners were even at four.
Mason returns to action on Saturday, hosting William and
Mary at 7:00 p.m.
