RICHMOND, Va. – In one of its most tightly contested games of the season, the George Mason women's lacrosse team showed poise in pulling out a key road victory.
Freshman Chachi Kelehan scored the game-winning goal with 3:31 left and the Patriots defense made it stand up, holding on for a 9-8 victory over Richmond on Sunday. Kelehan and junior Alexa McGovern each scored two goals and freshman Elizabeth Benedetto was once again strong in goal, making 11 saves to help Mason secure its fifth straight victory.
The Patriots improved to 7-2 and 2-0 in Atlantic 10 Conference play, marking the first time they've won their first two conference games in 10 years. They also picked up their first win at Richmond since 2000.
On Sunday, both teams held leads and the game featured four ties. But after Richmond scored the first goal, Mason never trailed. Three straight goals – one by Brooke Lorber and two from McGovern – put the Patriots in front.
The teams battled back and forth with the Spiders (5-4, 1-1) twice erasing two-goal deficits. Mia Castagnero, who scored six goals for Richmond, rattled off consecutive goals in less than 30 seconds to tie the game at 8-8 with 6:45 to go.
Three minutes later, Kelehan unknotted the tie, scoring on a free position attempt. The Patriots were a perfect 4-for-4 on free position attempts – all coming in the second half – with goals from Kelehan, Jacquelyn Spalding, Hannah Warpinski and Chloe Chan. Mason capitalized on its scoring opportunities, netting nine goals on 12 shots on goal.
Kira Greer, who also won four draw controls, also added a goal. Spalding chipped in two assists and Warpinski dished out one assist in addition to three draw controls.
In goal, Benedetto improved to 4-0 with another game with double figure saves. The freshman from Fairfax made 27 saves in three games this week, including 23 in conference wins against George Washington on Friday and versus Richmond on Sunday.
The Patriots will return home for arguably one of their toughest challenges of the season. They'll welcome No. 20 Massachusetts at 6 p.m. on Friday at George Mason Stadium.
