Mackenzie Jones scored three goals as George Mason lacrosse fell 13-9 at Duquesne in the final game of the regular season. Despite the loss, the Patriots (10-6, 5-3 A-10) finished the regular season with the most wins since 2008 and a slot in next weekend's Atlantic 10 tournament hosted by George Washington. This is the first time since 2008 that the Patriots will compete in the conference tournament and the first time in school history that Mason will take part in the A-10 lacrosse tournament.
The Dukes scored first, getting a goal just three minutes into action. The Patriots responded less than a minute later with a goal from sophomore Jacquelyn Spalding. After 10 minutes of scoreless play, Mason and Duquesne traded goals to knot the game at 2-2 with just under 16 minutes to play. The Dukes took a 5-2 lead after three goals in just over 60 seconds of action, and would go into the break with a 6-5 lead.
Junior Melissa Lobaccaro found the back of the net with 27:21 left in the second half, making it 6-6 before the Dukes would respond with a 3-0 run. Sophomore Alexa McGovern snapped DU's streak with a goal, bringing Mason within 10-7 with 15:39 to play. The Patriots would get as close as 10-9 with less than 10 minutes to play, but Duquesne would score three times in the final five and a half minutes to secure the 13-9 win.
Mason enters the A-10 tournament as the fourth seed and will take on top seeded UMass at 1 p.m. Friday at GW. The Patriots faced the Minutewomen earlier this season, falling 17-7 at UMass. For more information, visit tournament central.