George Mason lacrosse opened Atlantic 10 play with a 14-12 win at Saint Joseph's Friday night.

Kirstin Russell got the Patriots (6-3, 1-0 A-10) on the board first with a goal three minutes into action fueling a four-minute, three-goal rally to give Mason an early lead.  The Hawks (5-4, 0-1 A-10) and Patriots traded goals eight minutes later, putting the Green and Gold up 4-1 with 12:38 to play in the half.

SJU would have a rally of its own, tying the match at 4-4 with 7:40 to play in the first half. Jacquelyn Spalding would find the back of the net with six minutes remaining until halftime starting a 4-2 Patriot rally to help send Mason into the break, up 8-6.

Two quick goals to start the second half allowed the Hawks to pull within 9-8 with just under 20 minutes remaining, however, that was as close as the hosts would get. Caitlin McGinn would go on to score three goals in the second half, to put the Patriots up 14-10 with 2:42 remaining. SJU's Nora McCallion would net two in the final minute of action, but Mason would hold on for the 14-12 victory.

McGinn and sophomore Alexa McGovern would lead the way for Mason with four goals each; McGovern also scooped two ground balls to go with a team-high five draw controls.

The Patriots continue their road trip Sunday at UMass before returning to Fairfax to host La Salle April 3 at 3 p.m.