FAIRFAX, Va. – Erin Mitchell knotted the game with less than two minutes in the first half, but a Duquesne goal in the second half proved to be the game-winner as the Dukes captured a 2-1 victory Friday night in league play.
Duquesne converted a penalty kick in the eighth minute to take a 1-0 lead that would stand until Mitchell netted her second goal of the season with less than two minutes remaining in the first half. Duquesne fended off two saves on Mason attempts including a Niomi Serrano free kick that was saved by Duquesne's Lauren Yobbi. The Patriots finally broke through in the 44th minute when Mitchell blasted a shot from 25-yards out into the upper left corner of the net for the equalizer, 1-1. Kelly Pizzingrilli was credited with the feed on the goal.
Both teams attacked early in the second half, but the Dukes were the first to break through as Cydney Staton finished a rebound from a Maddie Layman shot in the 68th minute. Staton finished the play for a 2-1 Duquesne advantage. The Patriots looked for the equalizer late in the contest, but couldn't find the back of the net.
For the game, Mason outshot Duquesne, 11-9, but the Dukes carried a narrow 7-6 advantage in shots on goal. Each goalkeeper came away with five stops in the contest as Mason led in corner kicks, 5-3. Mason dipped to 3-9-2 overall and 1-2-2 in Atlantic 10 play, while Duquesne improved to 5-6-3, 2-1-1.
Mason returns to action with a pair of road games beginning next Friday, October 24 at La Salle. Game time is slated for 6 p.m.
