LYNCHBURG, Va. – In a matter of minutes, the George Mason women's lacrosse team turned a tightly contested game into a rout.
The Patriots scored the game's final nine goals, including six in less than six minutes, to cruise to a 17-7 victory over Liberty on Wednesday at LU Lacrosse Field.
Junior Jacquelyn Spalding led the way with a career-high six goals and Alexa McGovern added four goals and tied a career-high with six draw controls as the Patriots won consecutive games for the first time this season.
Clinging to an 8-7 lead with less than 20 minutes remaining, Mason (4-2) went on a tear to pull away for its first road win. Spalding, who scored four goals in the second half, started the spurt with a free position goal with 18:25 left.
Mason then managed to chew a bunch of clock before reigning Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Week Chachi Kelehan slashed through the defense and slotted a goal just inside the near post with 13:21 to go. Thirty-one seconds later, McGovern scored on an assist from Brooke Lorber.
Jordan Sdanowich followed with back-to-back goals on assists from Hannah Warpinski and Lorber. Warpinski then scored on a feed from Lorber. McGovern then did it herself, winning the ensuing draw, racing down the field and scoring in less than 13 seconds for a 15-7 lead with 7:33 left.
The draw control provided a huge boost for the Patriots, who dominated the draw 20-5, including a 10-1 advantage in the first half.
Liberty (1-7) actually led 2-0 less than two minutes in. But Mason quickly responded, scoring the next four goals. The Flames tied the game twice in the first half but the Patriots went ahead with 2.7 seconds left in the first half.
With Liberty trying to clear with about 10 seconds left, McGovern intercepted a pass and then dished the ball to Warpinski for a 6-5 lead just three seconds before halftime. The Patriots wouldn't relinquish the lead after that.
In addition to Spalding and McGovern's 10 combined goals, Sdanowich, Warpinski and Lorber each scored twice and Kelehan scored once. Lorber also had three assists, Warpinski added two while McGovern and Lydia Montanino each had one assist.
The Patriots return to action next Wednesday to host Mount St. Mary's at 4 p.m. at George Mason Stadium. The game was postponed from Feb. 24 when two lightning delays forced the Patriots to reschedule their home and season opener.
