PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – In the final regular season contest of the season, the George Mason women's soccer team dropped a 5-0 decision at reigning champion La Salle. With the loss, Mason ended the regular season at 7-10-1 overall and 4-4 in Atlantic 10 Conference play. La Salle finished 13-4-2, 5-2-1. The Atlantic 10 Tournament will begin Thursday in Richmond.
The Explorers carried a 2-0 lead into the halftime intermission and added a trio of goals in the second half to secure the 5-0 shutout. The home squad scored early, going up 1-0 on a Jessika Kagan goal with just 2:36 expired on the clock. Renee Washington doubled La Salle's score in the 29th minute. Mason put together a solid opportunity to even the score in the 22nd minute as Liz Hodges' attempt was blocked before Karina Irizarry collected the rebound and forced Jessica Wiggins into her only save of the half.
Jazmin Cardoso looked to cut Mason's lead early in the second half as the senior's attempt hit the crossbar and ricocheted off. La Salle picked up its third goal of the afternoon from Courtney Niemiec at the 59:28 mark and took a 4-0 lead on a Maryam Huseini tally in the 69th minute. Wiggins was forced into a save on a Kaeley Brady attempt less than 20 seconds later. The Explorers recorded their final goal of the contest in the 73rd minute from Marykate Bateman. Courtney Kim looked for a goal late to put Mason on the board, but Wiggins was in position to make the save.
For the contest, La Salle held the shot advantage (21-7) and a 10-4 shots on goal edge. Lyndse Hokanson and Briana Kottler combined for five saves, while Wiggins registered four in the contest.
The Atlantic 10 women's soccer championship will take place November 7-10 at Sports Backers Stadium in Richmond, Va., hosted by VCU.
