George Mason lacrosse held off a late La Salle rally as the Patriots (7-4, 2-1 A-10) would defeat the Explorers (5-5, 1-1 A-10) 12-9 Friday afternoon at home.

La Salle got on the board first with a goal just over a minute into play, but the Patriots didn't trail long. Less than two minutes after the Explorers took a 1-0 lead, senior Mackenzie Jones scored for Mason sparking a 5-0 rally, including two from senior Caitlin McGinn, to give the home team a 5-1 lead with 17 minutes to play in the first half.

After five minutes of scoreless play by both sides, La Salle's Katlyn Fay netted the second of her three first half goals before freshman Melanie Williams would convert off an assist from sophomore Melissa Lobaccaro to give Mason a 6-2 lead with just under 10 minutes to play in the half. The Explorers would score two goals in the final five minutes of the half, but the Patriots maintained a 6-4 edge at the break.

The second half started quietly with no goals for either side over the first four minutes of play. However, McGinn broke through for a goal with just under 27 minutes to play and sophomore Alexa McGovern would net one of her own less than 30 seconds later.

The Patriots would hold its largest lead of six goals, 12-6 with 5:03 to play, but the Explorers were not going down without a fight. The visitors scored three goals in just 90 seconds of action to cut Mason's lead to 12-9 with 2:36 on the clock. La Salle would get three opportunities on offense down the stretch, but a ground ball and two saves from freshman goalkeeper Taylor Carpentier secured the win.

On the game, Carpentier had five saves while McGinn led the Patriots offensively with four goals followed by Lobaccaro with three goals and an assist.

Next up, the Patriots head to Davidson next Friday before returning home to face in-state foe Richmond Sunday, April 13.