Box Score (PDF)
NORFOLK, Va. – The George Mason women's soccer team fell to Old Dominion 4-1 in the 2017 season opener on Friday at the ODU Soccer Complex.
Mason (0-1-0) fell behind in the 17th minute of play when Old Dominion (1-0-0) junior Iris Achterhof took a lead pass and capitalized on a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper, scoring into the right side of the net to give the Monarchs a 1-0 lead.
Mason junior goalkeeper
Morgan Symmers made the first start of her NCAA career. Freshmen
Írunn Aradottir and
Shannon Lee each started in their collegiate debut, while classmates
Jisca Adigo and
Kayla Hamric each made their NCAA debut when they entered the game in the first half.
In the second half, Mason senior
Daniela Neves netted her first NCAA goal, sending a free kick into the left side of the net from 30 yards out in the 53rd minute to even the match at 1-1.
"We were disappointed with our performance in the first half," Mason head coach
Todd Bramble said. "I thought we came out in the second half and managed to take control of the game and we had some momentum. I thought it was anybody's game at that point, but we were undone by set pieces after that."
The Monarchs took control of the match by scoring three unanswered goals in the second half, with the first two tallies in a span of four minutes.
Old Dominion senior Jackie Stroud, who was selected to the Conference USA all-preseason team, scored on a header in the 63rd minute to put the Monarchs in front 2-1 and junior Kira Laurento tapped in a loose ball from the end line in the 66th minute to make the score 3-1.
Stroud netted her second goal of the game in the 83rd minute, converting on a header from inside the box off of a corner kick to increase the Monarchs advantage to 4-1.
Mason finished with 11 shots, while the Monarchs ended the game with nine. The Patriots recorded five of their seven shots on goal in the first half of play.
Old Dominion senior goalkeeper Krista Moisio was credited with six saves in the victory, while Symmers made two saves for Mason. Monarch's freshman Carla Morich finished the game with three assists.
Mason hosts Tennessee on Sunday in the home opener with the kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m. at George Mason Stadium. The first 100 fans in attendance when the Patriots face the Volunteers will receive a Mason bobblehead.
"We'll have a lot of respect for Tennessee coming into our place," Bramble said. "We're looking forward to the challenge and it will be nice to have them on our home field. We have a beautiful facility and the home opener is always exciting and we're looking forward to seeing a nice crowd out there as well."
