BRONX, N.Y. – With her team-leading fourth goal of the season, senior Liz Hodges fueled Mason to a 1-0 victory over Fordham on Sunday afternoon scoring in the 92nd minute for the game-winner in overtime. Mason snapped a three-game skid with its first road conference win of the season.
“It was a pure match of grit and team effort,” commented head coach Diane Drake. “The high winds and turf made it a tough environment. I'm very proud of our group who got stronger and stronger and refused to not come out of this match without taking home three points.”
Mason converted its first attempt in overtime to capture the win. With an assist credited to Niomi Serrano, Hodges' shot deflected off Fordham goalkeeper Ally White's hands and found the back of the net for the game-winner. The shot on goal was Mason's sixth of the contest as the Patriots outshot the Rams 6-4 on goal and 15-7 in shots.
Laura Glew pulled out the victory playing the full game in goal, making five stops to keep the Rams off the scoreboard. Serrano led Mason with two shots on goal as Erin Mitchell, Emily Harvey and Serrano each attempted two shots apiece. Hodges converted her only attempt of the game for the win. Mason also held a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Glew recorded her first stop 19 minutes into the contest on a header attempt from Nicol Natale as Harvey looked for the go-ahead tally in the 33rd minute for Mason, but White was in position for the save. Serrano forced White into a save in the 39th minute as Fordham attacked late in the period with Glew keeping the slate clean coming up with a save in the 43rd minute. Mason attacked early and quickly in the second half, putting three shots on goal in the first 15 minutes, but could not convert as Fordham attacked late with two shots on frame in the final six minutes, including a Jessica Widmann attempt at the 89:22 mark. Glew's save in the final minute setup Mason's overtime thriller by Hodges.
Mason moved to 2-3-2 in Atlantic 10 Conference play and 4-10-2 overall with one game left in the regular season.
The Patriots return to action with Senior Day this Friday, October 31 at 5 p.m. welcoming Saint Joseph's to George Mason Stadium. The George Mason men's soccer team follows with their Senior Night at 7 p.m. against George Washington.
