HIGH POINT, N.C. – Stout defense made an early second-half goal stand up as the George Mason men's soccer team snapped a two-game losing streak and picked up its first road win of the season.

Tunde Akinlosotu scored on an assist from Ramon Evans in the 47th minute and the Patriots' defense did the rest in a 1-0 victory over High Point on Wednesday night at Vert Stadium. Senior goalkeeper Steffen Kraus and the Mason defense fended off 16 shots, holding the Panthers scoreless and handing them their first loss of the season.

"Proud of the effort shown by the team," George Mason head coach Greg Andrulis said. "We had contributions from many guys tonight and were able to go deep into the roster for positive contirbutions. Our defensive group playing their first game together was stout in front of Steff and when called upon was outstanding. High Point is well-coached and has a very talented roster. Getting a result on the road against a quality opponent provides us with some momentum heading into our last non-conference match on Saturday."

The Patriots (2-4-1) had mustered just one shot when Akinlosotu and Evans, both players coming off the bench, connected just a little more than a minute into the second half.

Evans, a sophomore forward from Hartford, Conn., dribbled along the end line before centering a pass to Akinlosotu.The freshman forward from Bowie, Md., buried a shot from 12 yards out for his team-high second goal of the season. It was the first career assist for Evans. 

It turned out to be enough as High Point (5-1-1) failed to score for the first time all season. At halftime, the Panthers had outshot the Patriots 11-1 but just two shots were on goal.

Mason continued to keep High Point off the board after the break, surrendering just five shots. The Panthers outshot the Patriots 16-5. But High Point only put three shots on goal compared to Mason's two.

Despite being without center back Alain Sargeant, who had to sit out after receiving a red card on Saturday against West Virginia, Mason posted its second shutout of the season. The starting back line of Jordan Edwards, Noah Kemble, Dan Casey and Matt Tucker withstood the High Point attack. Kraus, who has played every minute in goal for the Patriots this season, made three saves.

The Patriots are 2-0 all-time against High Point, with both wins coming in the last two years. Mason also defeated the Panthers 1-0 last year, with Henning Dirks scoring the game-winning goal in double overtime on Sept. 19, 2015. The win on Wednesday marked Mason's first road win since defeating Davidson 1-0 on Oct. 31 last year. The Patriots last picked up a road win out of conference on Sept. 22, 2015 with a 1-0 victory at Longwood in Farmville, Va.

Mason looks to build off the win as it caps off non-conference play against Siena at 7 p.m. on Saturday at George Mason Stadium in the Game of the Week. Mason students with a valid student ID will receive free George Mason silicone phone wallets while supplies last.