WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Familiar faces, along with a new one, helped the George Mason women's lacrosse team open the 2017 season on a good note.

Senior Melissa Lobaccaro tied a career high with three goals to lift the Patriots to a 9-7 victory at William & Mary on Saturday in the season opener. Freshman Hailey Johnson also tallied her first two collegiate goals, including a key one with six seconds before halftime, and an assist. Plus, sophomore goalkeeper Elizabeth Benedetto matched a career high with 12 saves.

The Patriots, who tied a school record with 12 wins last year, defeated William & Mary for the first time since 2007 to snap a six-game losing streak in the series. Mason (1-0) also defeated a Colonial Athletic Association opponent for the first time since April 13, 2012 against Old Dominion when both teams were still in the CAA, snapping a skid of 10 straight losses. The last time the Patriots won a season opener on the road was 2000.

Mason never trailed in the game but William & Mary (0-2) did tie the game twice in the first half. After the Tribe scored with three minutes left in the first half, it appeared the teams would be tied heading into halftime. But Johnson, an attacker from Amherst, N.H., scored her first career goal with six seconds left for a 4-3 lead.

Senior Jordan Sdanowich scored less than five minutes into the second half on an assist from Hannah Warpinski to give the Patriots a cushion. The Tribe answered to pull within one but Mason responded right back with goals from Johnson and Lobaccaro for a 7-4 lead. William & Mary wouldn't get closer than two after that.

Senior Brooke Lorber also scored twice in the first half and junior Lindsey Tangeman added a goal. Sophomore Chachi Kelehan also dished out an assist.

The Patriots now have two weeks off before playing at crosstown rival George Washington on March 4.


"It was a tough game with a lot of first-game jitters," Mason head coach Jessy Morgan said. "We plan to learn from our mistakes. Going forward, we plan to capitalize on the errors we made today for the Georgetown game. Mason plays as a full team. When one woman falters there is someone there to pick up the slack. We had many contributors. Our goalie played an amazing game and the defense in front of her will only get better as the season goes on."