Men's Soccer | 10/17/2017 7:35:00 PM
WHAT: George Mason men's soccer vs. VCU
WHEN: 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 18
WHERE: George Mason Stadium, Fairfax, Va.
SERIES RECORD: VCU leads 12-10-9
LAST MEETING: VCU defeated Mason 2-0 on Oct. 1, 2016 in Richmond, Va.
RECORDS: George Mason (5-5-2, 0-3-1 Atlantic 10); VCU (6-4, 3-1 Atlantic 10)
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FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason men's soccer team looks to get back on the winning track as an in-state foe comes to town.
The Patriots host rival VCU at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at George Mason Stadium. Mason (5-5-2, 0-3-1 Atlantic 10) is trying to snap a three-game losing streak and pick up its first conference win of the season.
After winning five of their first eight games, the Patriots have gone winless in their last four matchups (a tie and three losses). They sit at 12th in the Atlantic 10 standings and are just one of two teams (St. Bonaventure the other) to have not won a league game yet this season.
With just four regular-season games remaining and just one point in league play so far, every game is crucial as only the top eight teams qualify for the conference tournament in November. Mason, which last made the A-10 Tournament in 2014, is currently five points behind the eight-place team (Saint Louis) in the conference.
The Patriots suffered a tough 3-2 loss at home on Saturday against defending A-10 regular season champ Saint Louis. After a scoreless first half, five goals were scored in the second half, with Mason twice rallying to tie the game. Both goals came off the feet of redshirt junior
Graydon Hester, who scored his first two goals of the season. The second came in the 74th minute to tie the game at 2-2.
The game appeared to be heading to overtime until SLU deflected a defensive clear attempt by Mason with 10 seconds ago. The ball soared over Patriots goalkeeper
Corey Chambers, who had come out toward the edge of the box, more than 18 yards and into the bottom right corner of an empty net for the game-winning goal.
The two goals on Saturday were Mason's first since Sept. 30 – more than 270 minutes between goals – and hopefully will rejuvenate an offense that had been dynamic for much of the season. The Patriots are tied for 35th in the country in scoring offense and second in the A-10 with 1.83 goals a game. Senior captain
Henning Dirks leads the league in goals (eight), assists (seven) and points (23).
VCU (6-4, 3-1) is coming off its first conference loss of the season – a 2-1 setback to George Washington on Saturday. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for the Rams. During that stretch, they outscored opponents 11-1 and posted four shutouts. Opponents have scored just 12 goals – tied for second fewest in the league – and conference foes have scored only three goals. Offensively, VCU is led by senior Luc Fatton and his team-high six goals.
The Rams lead the all-time series 12-10-9. Mason last defeated the Rams in the A-10 Tournament in 2013 on its way to the conference tournament championship. Since then, though, VCU is 2-0-1 against the Patriots, including a 2-0 loss in Richmond last year.
