WOMEN'S SOCCER vs. Georgetown
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: George Mason Stadium
RECORDS: George Mason (4-2-0, 0-0-0 A-10); Georgetown (4-1-0, 0-0-0 BIG EAST)
SERIES RECORD: Mason leads 3-1-0
LAST MEETING: The Hoyas defeated the Patriots 4-0 on Sept. 4, 2012 in Washington, D.C.
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FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason women's soccer team will have the opportunity to play an extra home game, hosting Georgetown under the lights on Thursday night at George Mason Stadium.
The game was originally scheduled to be played at Georgetown on Thursday at 4 p.m., but was moved to 7:30 p.m. in Fairfax due to the forecast for excessive heat. The Patriots will be playing their fifth straight game at home, equaling their second-longest homestand since 1995.
“We weren't expecting to play this game at home, but I think it's the right decision and in the best interest of the players,” Mason head coach Todd Bramble said. “Georgetown is a very good team and just because the venue changes I don't think it's going to make the game any easier.”
Mason (4-2-0) will look to rebound from a 4-0 loss to Oklahoma the last time out on Sunday. The Patriots were limited to two shots on goal, with sophomore Emily Littell and junior Erin Mitchell recording one shot each. Senior goalkeeper Kirsten Glad (4-2-0) made three saves.
“Giving up four goals against Oklahoma isn't sitting well with our team and our defense,” Bramble said. “I'm excited to see how our players are going to respond to the challenge on Thursday coming off of a tough loss.”
The Patriots are 4-1-0 at home this season, outscoring opponents by a combined score of 11-6, including two shutouts at George Mason Stadium. Mason has already matched its home win total from last season, when the team finished 4-4 on its home turf with four straight victories from Sept. 6 to Oct. 11.
Seven different players have scored a goal for Mason over the first six games of the season. Sophomore Nia Elbeck and juniors Nicolette Herdegen, Abby Downey and Jenna Hamilton pace the Patriots with two goals apiece. Both of Downey's tallies this season have been game-winners. Senior Sarah Hardison leads the team with 11 shots on goal.
The Patriots have outscored opponents 5-4 in the first half and 6-4 in the second half over the first six games. Mason was outshot 44-10 in the first two games of the season, then controlled the play in the next three games with a 51-18 advantage in shots on goal before being held to five shots against the Sooners.
The Patriots and Hoyas are meeting for the first time since 2010, when No. 22 Georgetown defeated Mason 4-0. The Patriots earned a 2-0 win in 2006 at the D.C. Invitational, picked up a 3-1 victory in 2004 in the Mason Invitational and downed the Hoyas 2-1 in overtime in 2003 in Washington, D.C. Mason leads the all-time series 3-1-0.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
The Hoyas (4-1-0) defeated No. 12 Rutgers 2-1 in overtime last Friday in Piscataway, N.J., scoring the game-winner in the 91st minute of play.
Senior Grace Damaska and junior Rachel Corboz share the team lead with six goals each and Corboz leads the team with five assists. The duo has combined for 35 shots and scored 12 of the Hoyas 16 goals over the first five games.
Corboz was named BIG EAST Conference Midfielder of the Year in 2015 after recording a team-high 10 goals and eight assists. She earned BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week honors on Monday after scoring two goals against Rutgers, including the game-winner just over 30 seconds into overtime. Corboz also earned the award earlier this season after scoring three goals in the first 29 minutes for Georgetown in a 6-0 win over Towson.
The Hoyas, ranked No. 24 in the country by TopDrawerSoccer.com., have won three in a row by a combined score of 10-2. Georgetown blanked Delaware 4-0, topped Colorado College 4-1 and edged Rutgers 2-1 in overtime. The Hoyas' lone loss this season was to No. 5 Stanford by the final score of 3-0.
Georgetown has outscored opponents 8-1 in the first half and 7-4 in the second half over its first five games. The Hoyas hold a 40-13 advantage in shots on goal over their opponents in the first half.
Sophomore goalkeeper Arielle Schechtman (4-1-0) has allowed five goals and made 11 saves over the first five games.
Georgetown finished with an overall record of 11-5-4 last season and went 5-1-2 in the BIG EAST. The Hoyas finished with a 6-2-2 mark at home and a 5-2-1 record on the road in 2015. The Hoyas suffered road losses at UCF 3-1 and at Butler 1-0 last season. Georgetown scored 41 goals and allowed 19 goals in 20 games during the 2015 campaign.
The Hoyas were the No. 2 seed in the BIG EAST Tournament last season and earned an at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight year.
TICKETS
Tickets for George Mason soccer matches are $6 for adults, $4 for youth (12 and under). Tickets can be purchased at the entrance to George Mason Stadium beginning one hour before the start of the game. Please note, cash is the only method of payment accepted at George Mason Stadium.
Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. Group tickets must be purchased in advance. For more information on group tickets, call the Athletic Ticket Office at 703-993-3270.
DIRECTIONS TO GEORGE MASON STADIUM
To access George Mason Stadium, please use Ox Road (Rt. 123) and turn onto University Drive toward the Field House. Please note, there is no access to George Mason Stadium via the newly-opened Campus Drive. Parking will be free around the Field House.
