FAIRFAX, Va. - Seven Patriots scored as George Mason lacrosse (8-5, 3-2 A-10) defeated Richmond (7-7, 4-1 A-10) 8-5 in a well-rounded team effort Sunday afternoon.

Richmond got on the board first with a goal just over a minute into action, and would hold the 1-0 advantage for nearly 10 minutes. However, a goal from Alexa McGovern off a Jacquelyn Spalding assist would spark Mason's offense. The Green and Gold would score three goals in as many minutes to take a 3-1 lead with 17:03 to play. However, the Spiders would respond getting two goals from Charlett Stevenson to tie things up with 12 minutes remaining in the half. Neither side would convert over the last 12 minutes of action to remain tied at 3-3 entering the break.

The second half mirrored the first with the Spiders scoring less than two minutes into action and would lead 5-4 with 22:54 to play. The visitors maintained the advantage until senior Mackenzie Jones found the back of the net with the equalizer with 15:32 to play. The Patriots would notch two more in the next two minutes of action as sophomores McGovern and Spalding each converted their second goals of the game, giving Mason a 7-5 lead with 13:38 to play. Senior Kirstin Russell came through with a goal of her own with 1:50 to play, bringing the final score of 8-5.

Richmond had several attempts down the stretch but could not get past freshman goalkeeper Taylor Carpentier. The Garden City, N.Y. native snagged four saves over the last 11 minutes of action to maintain the Patriots lead; she would finish the game with 13 saves on the Spiders 18 shots on goal. Spalding led the way offensively for Mason with three points behind two goals and an assist.

The Patriots continue their home-stand Friday, April 17 when they host St. Bonaventure at 4 p.m.