FAIRFAX, Va. – With the help of three goals in the first twenty minutes of play, the George Mason men's soccer team was able to put away Denver 4-1 on Friday night at George Mason Stadium. Mason improved their record to 3-0 with the victory, while Denver fell to 1-2.
Mason jumped out with a quick start, scoring four goals on five shots in just the first half. The Patriots opened the scoring just 13 minutes into action on a combination play from Hugh Roberts and Jannik Eckenrode. Near the right front of the net, Roberts made a sliding kick pass inside the box to setup Eckenrode for the goal in the 14th minute for the early 1-0 lead. Mason doubled its lead just over three minutes later with Wes Sever's first goal of the night. The senior blasted a shot from the top left of the box into the top right corner out of the reach of Oliver Brown in net for a 2-0 home squad advantage.
The Patriots grabbed a 3-0 lead just over a minute later as Eckenrode connected on his second goal of the night. Sever carried the ball down the right side and sent a cross to the foot of Eckenrode who finished off the play in the 17th minute. Mason scored its fourth and final goal of the half in the 38th minute. Inside the box, Julio Arjona found Sever who punched it into the left side of the net for the 4-0 lead and halftime score.
Denver saw minimal opportunity in the first half with only three shots, but managed to put all on frame. The Pioneers threatened to take the early lead in the fifth minute, but Mason goalkeeper Steffen Kraus made a sliding kick save on a shot from Kasey Esponda from the right corner of the box. Denver broke through for the only goal from the Pioneers on the night in the 83rd minute when Kosta Kordistos scored off a free kick unassisted from just outside the top of the box.
For the game, Mason narrowly outshot Denver, 8-6, including a 6-4 shots on goal advantage. Kraus picked up his third win of the season after making three saves. Sever put three shots on frame and led the Patriots offensively with four shots.
Mason returns to action welcoming Binghamton to George Mason Stadium on Sunday, September 8 for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
