FAIRFAX, Va. – The third-seeded George Mason women's soccer team fell to six-seeded Virginia Commonwealth University 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 Tournament on Sunday at George Mason Stadium.

Mason (9-9-2, 6-3-2 A-10) took the advantage in first half when freshman defender Shannon Lee scored on a header in the 20th minute to put the Patriots in front 1-0.  The goal was Lee's second of the season and the first of her career at George Mason Stadium.

VCU (10-5-3, 6-3-2 A-10) scored the equalizer early in the second half.  Senior defender Megan Dell scored the first of her two goals in the game off a free kick in the 49th minute, finding the back of the net into the upper right corner from 15 yards out to make the score 1-1.

With just over a minute remaining in regulation, Dell tallied the eventual game-winner in the 89th minute when she converted a header off a corner kick to give the Rams a 2-1 advantage.

Mason junior Emily Littell nearly evened the score, but hit the post late in the second half.

"First I'd like to congratulate VCU on advancing in the tournament," Mason head coach Todd Bramble said.  "It was a hard-fought game today and it could have gone either way.  They came out and were really good in the second half.  I thought the game had some momentum swings.  We just didn't have enough today."

The Patriots fell for the first time this season when scoring the first goal of the game.  Mason entered the contest with a record of 8-0-1 when scoring first.

The Patriots suffered their first loss at home against an Atlantic 10 opponent.  Mason went 4-0-1 against conference foes during the regular season. 

Mason was 6-0-1 in its last seven home games entering the tournament.  The Patriots six-game winning streak this season at George Mason Stadium tied for the fourth-longest in program history.

VCU recorded eight shots in the second half and finished with a 9-6 advantage, while both teams recorded four shots on goal in the match.  VCU had five corner kicks and Mason had four.

Littell led all players with three shots in the game.  Seniors Abby Downey and Erin Mitchell, along with Littell and Lee each recorded a shot on goal for the Patriots.

"What hurts the most, more than losing a soccer game, it brings to a close the career of an incredible senior class," said Bramble.  "That's what really hurts the most today."

Mason freshman goalkeeper Louisa Moser (8-5-2) made two saves, while VCU junior goalkeeper Audrey Sanderson (10-5-3) finished with three saves.

"I'm proud of the way this team played all season long," Bramble said.  "In spite of the fact that we are losing a big and talented senior class, I think the program is in good shape for us to continue to be consistently up at the top of this conference."