FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason men's soccer team overcame a 1-0 deficit to force overtime and followed up with game-winning penalty kick in overtime to defeat the Davidson Wildcats 2-1 on Saturday evening.
The Patriots improve to 10-3-3, 3-2-1 in the A-10 and 7-1 at home this season. Davidson slips to 7-2-3 and a conference record of 1-2-1. Timi Mulgrew scored his 11th and 12th goals of the season in the winning effort.
After a scoreless first half in which Mason outshot Davidson 5-2 and held them without a shot on goal, the Wildcats managed to strike first in the second frame. Shane Macnamara first launced a shot from inside the box right into goalkeeper Michael Butts in the 52nd minute, leading to a rebound chance that was capitalized on by Maxi Pragnell to put Davidson up 1-0 with a shot into the right corner.
Hard-fought minutes from the Patriots followed with chances from Jannik Eckenrode, Daniel Hoffman, Taylor Washington and Mulgrew all sailing wide before the equalizer in the 71st minute. Henning Dirks gathered the ball in the left corner, finding an open Hoffman who placed a perfect cross in the box that allowed Mulgew to run on and deflect his header off the crossbar and in to even the score.
Mason pressed for the remainder of regulation with two more chances from Mulgrew that were saved by Matt Pacifici. The Davidson keeper was kept busy all night, making six saves as the Patriots boasted 16 shots in the contest to Davidson's 7. Butts turned away two in his first victory of the season.
Just over four minutes into the first overtime period Davidson committed a foul inside the box, leading to Mulgrew's penalty kick chance that ended in the net. It was his fourth penalty kick chance of the season and his third conversion. Davidson came into the contest with an RPI of 14 and was receiving votes in the latest NSCAA Coaches Poll.
The men's soccer team plays its final home match of the season in the backend of a doubleheader on Friday, October 31. The Patriots host George Washington in the #RevRivalry at 7 p.m. and will also honor the team's seniors during the match.
