WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The George Mason women's soccer team opened the 2013 regular season with a 1-1 draw at William and Mary Sunday night. Casey Vornadore put the Patriots up 1-0 in the first half at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field, but the Tribe evened the score in the second half to force overtime.
W&M outshot Mason, but the Patriots struck first in the early going as Vornadore scored the first goal of the season for Mason coming in the 35th minute. The senior blasted a shot from 20-yards out into the top middle of the net to give the visiting squad an early 1-0 lead. The Patriots would hold the lead through halftime, but the Tribe would counter in the 65th minute using a Samantha Cordum tally to even the score at 1-1. Cordum completed an Audrey Barry assist as the teams ended regulation tied at 1-all.
Mason threatened in overtime, forcing Tribe goalkeeper Caroline Casey into a pair of saves within the first four minutes as Emily Harvey and Liz Hodges both placed shots on goal. Sydney Mitchell also tried to find the back of the net in the 99th minute before Emma Starr posed a threat early in the second overtime period. Mason forced W&M into four saves in overtime, while the Tribe put only three shots on frame.
Overall, W&M outshot Mason, 22-17, including a 12-8 shots on goal edge. Jazmin Cardoso led Mason with four shots, while Harvey's two attempts were on goal. The Patriots combined for 11 saves, six coming from starting goalkeeper Lyndse Hokanson and three from Briana Kottler who closed the game. For the Tribe, Casey made seven stops.
“Tonight showed a very promising start with a concentration and focus on team defending,” stated head coach Diane Drake. “Our fitness was superior and we got stronger every 20 minutes. William and Mary is a very dynamic team and both teams played a very physical contest.”
Mason returns to the field at No. 17 Maryland on Friday, August 30. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.
