FAIRFAX, Va. – Entering the weekend, 110 of 111 Division I women's lacrosse teams in the country had finished their first game of the season.
Only George Mason had yet to complete a game. On Saturday, the Patriots showed they were worth the wait.
Boosted by three first-half goals in a span of 52 seconds, Mason jumped out to a quick start and withstood a second-half charge from Lafayette for a 10-7 victory on Saturday at George Mason Stadium.
Chachi Kelehan, Alexa McGovern, Hannah Warpinski and Brooke Lorber each scored twice to lead the Patriots to their first victory of the season. Mason (1-0) tried to start its season on Feb. 24 against Mount St. Mary's but the game was stopped twice due to lightning and eventually postponed in the second half. No makeup date has been announced.
Mason shook off any rust from the 10-day layoff in the first half with three goals in 52 seconds to take a 3-0 lead. Lorber scored the first goal of the season with 21:36 left in the first half. Kelehan followed 40 seconds later with her first goal. Then, just 12 seconds later, Warpinski zipped in her first goal.
The Patriots pushed their advantage to four goals in the first half and held a 6-3 lead at halftime. But the Leopards (3-3) charged back. They scored three times in the opening 10 minutes of the second. Kirsten Wilhelmsen scored two of her game-high three goals and Lafayette tied the game with 21:24 remaining.
But Mason regrouped and scored four of the game's final five goals. Kelehan's second goal of the day with 16:39 left put the Patriots ahead for good. Mason staked a 9-6 lead before Lafayette responded to cut the deficit to two with 2:16 to go. After a Mason turnover and yellow card, Lafayette had the advantage and threatened to pull within one.
Warpinski then squashed that chance by forcing a turnover, which led to a ground ball by McGovern. The junior then raced down the field and fired in a game-clinching goal with 59 seconds left.
Melissa Lobaccaro and Lindsey Tangeman each added a goal and Taylor Altomare and Kelehan dished out an assist apiece. Gina Purdue collected four ground balls and Erin Anderson and Warpinski each caused two turnovers. In goal, Robert Morris transfer Mackenzie Duffy made six saves to earn her first win with the Patriots.
Mason now hits the road for a pair of games in the Pacific Northwest. The Patriots will play Oregon on Wednesday and Fresno State on Friday, with both games in Eugene, Ore.
