NEWARK, Del. - Senior forward Taylor Morgan scored a pair of
second-half goals and the George Mason men's soccer team's defense did the rest
as the Patriots shut out the University of Delaware, 2-0, on Wednesday night at
Delaware Mini Stadium. The win improved Mason's record to 4-4 in Colonial
Athletic Association play and 11-5 overall, while the Blue Hens dropped to
3-10-4, 1-4-3 in conference.
Mason's first scoring chance came in the 22nd
minute, as junior Julio Arjona sent a shot high of the goal. In the 40th
minute, it was junior Zak Haapaoja who could not find the net, as his shot was
high. Mason led the Blue Hens by a 5-2 margin in corner kicks, but UD attempted
10 shots including two which were blocked by Patriot defenders.
Morgan needed less than two minutes in the second half to
attack the goal, but his shot in the 47th minute was blocked. In the
60th minute, though, Morgan fired a one-timer from the right side
into the lower right corner of the net, opening the scoring and giving Mason
the 1-0 lead.
Delaware nearly found the equalizer nine minutes later, as
Dieter Bahr headed a ball on frame that was saved by senior goalkeeper Dustin
Butcher. On the opposite side of the pitch, Arjona fired a shot less than a
minute later that was stopped by Delaware keeper Jay Lupas.
Lupas, though, would not find an answer for Morgan in the 72nd
minute. After a corner kick by freshman Ahmed Ismael, the ball got away from
Lupas and Morgan collected it on the right side of the penalty box. He found
the back of the net with no opposition, making the score 2-0.
The Patriots nearly added one more score in the 84th
minute, as Kevin Roberts fired on frame but Lupas was there for the save.
Butcher stopped one shot as he completed the shutout in
goal, his seventh of the season. Mason won the corner kick battle by an 8-2
difference and held the Blue Hens scoreless despite 19 shots by the home team.
The Patriots continue their road trip on Saturday, traveling
to Boston to face Northeastern. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
