FAIRFAX, Va. – Rallying twice, the George Mason men's soccer team collected a draw and a big confidence boost as the preseason neared the halfway point.
Senior
Henning Dirks scored twice, including the equalizer in the 89th minute, to lead the Patriots in a 2-2 tie against Delaware in an exhibition game on Wednesday night at George Mason Stadium. Overtime was not played in Mason's second exhibition game in four days.
The Blue Hens captured the Colonial Athletic Association tournament championship last season and reached the NCAA Tournament. Delaware also defeated Mason 3-0 in an exhibition game in Newark, Delaware in 2016.
"Delaware had a great season last year and I can remember in the preseason they took it to us on their field," Dirks said. "But we are Mason here, and (Wednesday) on our home field we are happy with the result."
Delaware scored first in the ninth minute, on a header off a corner kick. The Blue Hens controlled possession for much of the first half as Mason fired off just one shot before halftime. But the Patriots made it count.
Pushing the ball up the field, defender
Jordan Edwards sent a brilliant through ball past the Delaware defense and toward Dirks. The German forward gained control and sent a shot past Blue Hens goalie Todd Morton.
Delaware regained the lead, though, in the second half. The Blue Hens scorched a shot into the top left corner for a 2-1 lead in the 62nd minute. Mason didn't quit, though, even after a goal was negated by an offsides call. After just one shot in the first half, the Patriots had eight in the second half.
The persistence paid off when senior
David Galdo picked up the ball off a Delaware turnover with less than 90 seconds left. Galdo saw Dirks on the far left and sent in a long pass. Dirks caught up with ball and, on one touch, snuck the game-tying goal in between Delaware keeper Blai Palmi and the near post.
"Galdo played a great ball coming in," Dirks said. "He saw me coming in on the side and I took it one touch. The goalie thought I would go for a long post but I shot it short post. I'm happy the goal went in and all the guys were happy that it went in. We have a great team dynamic this year and hope we can push on to a great season."
Dirks has three goals in two exhibition games as he also scored in Mason's 3-0 victory over VMI on Sunday. The Patriots outshot Delaware 9-6 as the Blue Hens had just two shot attempts in the second half. Freshman
Corey Chambers made the start in goal and made one save in 45 minutes. Junior
Tomas Lapnas relieved him at halftime and played the final 45 minutes.
Mason closes out exhibition play at 7 p.m. on Saturday when they travel to Norfolk, Va., to play Old Dominion. The Patriots begin the regular season at 7 p.m. on Aug. 25 against No. 19 Coastal Carolina at George Mason Stadium.
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