KINGSTON, R.I. – Junior Erin Mitchell scored the game-winning goal with just over three minutes remaining in overtime, lifting the Patriots to a 2-1 win over Fordham on Thursday at Rhode Island's Soccer Complex in Kingston, R.I.

With the win, the Patriots advance to the semifinals for the second straight year.  Mason will face top-seeded Saint Joseph's on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Mason (13-6-1) had the first quality chance of the game against Fordham when sophomore Nia Elbeck found some working room inside the box in the 7th minute of play, but was stopped by Rams senior goalkeeper Megan Fitzgerald.

Facing Fordham for the second straight year in the Atlantic 10 Tournament, the Patriots defense neutralized the Rams in the first half, allowing just one shot on goal in the first 45 minutes of play. 

The Patriots broke the ice in the 15th minute.  Junior Jenna Hamilton took control of a cross from Elbeck inside the box and scored inside the left post to give Mason a 1-0 advantage.  The goal was Hamilton's first in 15 games.

Hamilton played in all 19 games with 12 starts during the regular season.  She netted both of her goals in Mason's 4-0 win over Howard on Sept. 1 in the fifth game of the season.

"It was a great goal that Jenna scored tonight," Mason head coach Todd Bramble said.  "The ball came back to her and she placed it into the upper corner.  I'm really happy with how she performed through the course of the game and that was an important goal for us."

The goal by Hamilton was the earliest strike in any of the four games in the quarterfinal round of the Atlantic 10 Women's Championship.

Fordham (10-5-5) suffered just its second loss against an Atlantic 10 opponent this season, with the only other loss 1-0 at Saint Louis on Oct. 13.  The Rams had lost just once in their last 10 games before falling to the Patriots on Thursday night.

The Patriots improved to 10-0-1 when scoring the first goal of the game and own a record of 8-1 in games decided by one goal.  The only defeat that the Patriots have suffered in a one-goal game was a 1-0 overtime loss to Duquesne on Oct. 13 at George Mason Stadium.

The Patriots improved their record to 7-0-1 this season when holding a lead at the half.

"I thought we were good in all phases of the game tonight," said Bramble after the win.  "We were solid defensively, good in possession and had numerous chances."

The Rams forced overtime when they scored the equalizer with 62 seconds left in regulation.  Sophomore Brooke Salmon scored her team-leading sixth goal of the season to tie the game at one.

Fordham erased three one-goal leads over two games in the past week against the Patriots and twice scored the game-tying goal in the final minutes of the second half.  Fordham rallied from two one-goal deficits to earn a 2-2 draw against Mason in the final game of the regular season. 

On this night, Mason would not be denied.

Mitchell lifted the Patriots into the semifinal round when she took advantage of a defensive miscue by Fordham in the 97th minute, chipping the ball over the Rams goalkeeper and into the back of the net for the 2-1 win, sending Mason into the semifinal round of the A-10 Tournament for the second straight year.

"It seems like our games with Fordham are always tight," Bramble said.  "That's a real test of a team's character when you give up the tying goal in the last minute.  We didn't let it affect us.  We got back out there in overtime and Erin got her chance and her composure on that play was phenomenal."

Mitchell's goal was her eighth of the season, tying her for the team lead.  The tally was her third game-winning goal of the year, second-most on the team.  Mitchell has scored six goals in her last seven games. 

Fordham lost in overtime for the first time this season.  The Rams had been 1-0-5 in games decided past regulation.

Mason outshot Fordham 13-6, including a 6-4 shots on goal advantage.  Senior Alex Myers led the Patriots with two shots on goal.  Mason had nine corner kicks, while Fordham had just two in the game.  Senior goalkeeper Kirsten Glad (13-6-1) made three saves in the win.

Three of the games in the quarterfinal round of the Atlantic 10 Women's Championship on Thursday were decided in overtime, including top-seeded Saint Joseph's 1-0 double-overtime victory over No. 8 Rhode Island.

The Patriots will face the top seed in the tournament for the second straight season.  As the eighth-seed last season, Mason upset top-seeded George Washington 1-0 in the quarterfinal round.  Abby Downey scored the lone goal of the game in the 76th minute and handed the Colonials their first loss in conference play.

"We're just really excited to have the opportunity to play Saint Joseph's," Bramble said.  "This will be the first time that we've played them since I've been here.  They earned the number one seed by going undefeated in league play and they have shown that they are deserving of what they've accomplished all year.  It's a great opportunity for us and we're looking forward to the challenge."

The Hawks finished with an overall record of 17-1-2 this season and went 9-0-1 against conference opponents.