Box Score
*Rebecca Callison scored a goal and added an assist
*Daniela Neves netted the game-winning goal
*Erin Mitchell recorded two assists

FAIRFAX, Va. – Mason junior Rebecca Callison and senior Daniela Neves each scored a goal in the first 17 minutes of play against Massachusetts on Thursday night as the Patriots won their sixth straight home game, defeating the Minutewomen 3-1 at George Mason Stadium.

Mason (7-8-1, 4-2-1 A-10) took the early lead when Callison netted her team-leading fourth goal of the season in the fourth minute, scoring from five yards out to put the Patriots in front 1-0.  Junior forward Nia Elbeck and senior forward Erin Mitchell each picked up and assist on the tally.

Two of Callison's goals this season have been the first goal of the game for Mason.  The Patriots improved to 6-0-0 when they score the first goal of the game.

Neves then scored her second goal of the season in the 17th minute to increase the Mason advantage to 2-0, with Callison recording her second assist of the season on the goal.

"It wasn't easy tonight," Mason head coach Todd Bramble said.  "They always keep you on your toes defensively so we really had to do a good job defending tonight.  I'm really happy that our team was able to execute our offensive game plan and get some timely goals."

UMass (6-7-2, 3-3-1 A-10) cut into the Mason lead when sophomore Jenna Thomas converted off of a corner kick in the 65th minute, scoring her second goal of the season to make the score 2-1.

Mason freshman Kayla Hamric responded six minutes later, scoring her second goal of the season in the 71st minute from inside the box to give the Patriots a two-goal lead at 3-1.  Freshman Amanda Nhek and Mitchell assisted on the tally. 

"The two-zero lead in our sport is always dangerous," Bramble said.  "When it goes to two-to-one the other team is going to have all the momentum and if you are in the lead at that point you have a tendency to tense up and get a little bit too conservative.  Kayla's goal to give us that two-goal cushion again was really big for us in the game tonight."

The Patriots have won six straight home games, outscoring opponents by a combined score of 17-5.  The six-game home winning streak is the longest that Mason has recorded in 19 years and is tied for the fourth-longest in program history.

Mason improved to 4-0-0 against Atlantic 10 opponents at George Mason Stadium, with victories over George Washington, Richmond, VCU and UMass.

"Being at home really helped us tonight because I don't think that was our best performance as a team," said Bramble.  "Maybe that's the sign of a good team.  When you don't play your best and you still find a way to win."

The Patriots finished with a 16-10 advantage in shots, including 10-6 in shots on goal.  Mason had 11 corner kicks and UMass had one.

Callison registered a goal and an assist, while Mitchell finished with three shots on goal and two assists.  She has a goal and two assists over the last two games. 

Nhek, who leads the team with five assists, has a goal and three assists in her last five games.  Elbeck has one goal and two assists in her last three games.

Freshman goalkeeper Louisa Moser (6-4-1) made five saves, while UMass keeper Cassidy Babin (6-7-2) made seven stops.

The Patriots are back in action on Sunday at Davidson with the kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. at Alumni Stadium in Davidson, N.C.