Men's Soccer | 9/15/2017 3:36:00 PM

WHAT: George Mason men's soccer vs. West Virginia
WHEN: 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16
WHERE: George Mason Stadium, Fairfax, Va.
SERIES RECORD: Tied at 2-2
LAST MEETING: West Virginia defeated Mason 3-0 on Sept. 17, 2016 in Morgantown, W.Va.
RECORDS: George Mason (3-1-1, 0-0 Atlantic 10); West Virginia (3-1-2, 0-0 MAC)
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FAIRFAX, Va. – Prior to the season kicking off, the George Mason men's soccer team set staying unbeaten at home as one of their goals.

So far so good.

The Patriots look to keep its home record unblemished when it hosts West Virginia at 7 p.m. on Saturday at George Mason Stadium. Mason is off to a 3-0 start at home for the first time since 2014, which was also the last time the Patriots won three straight games at home.

"Before the season we told ourselves, we wanted to protect home field," senior captain Henning Dirks said. "It is our stadium, it is in front of our fans so that is the extra push it gives us every time we go into the games here."

Mason (3-1-1) is coming off a 4-3 overtime victory over Binghamton last Friday at home. Sophomore Ryan Mingachos scored two goals in a game for the second time this season, including the game-winning goal in the 98th minute. Senior Noah Kemble also scored and Dirks also added a goal and an assist. The forward from Germany leads the team in assists (four) and points (12) and is tied for the most goals (four) with Mingachos.

The Mountaineers (3-1-2) were ranked 14th last week in the United Soccer Coaches poll before dropping out after back-to-back scoreless ties against Monmouth and Central Florida. On Wednesday, they suffered their first loss, a 3-1 setback at UMBC.

Prior to Wednesday, West Virginia had allowed just one goal and posted two shutouts in its first five games of the season. Junior goalkeeper Stephen Banick has started all six games this season and posted an impressive goals against average of 0.50 with a .850 save percentage. Offensively, senior Jad Arslan leads the team with four goals.

The all-time series is split at 2-2 with the home team winning every game. West Virginia won the most recent meeting last year 3-0 in Morgantown, West Virginia. This will be the Mountaineers' first trip to Fairfax since 1998.The Patriots have a pair of West Virginia transfers on their roster in junior midfielder Zion Gray and redshirt junior forward Tolu Ibikunle.

"We are very excited about (Saturday)," Dirks said. "It is a big team we're going to play. Last year they really took it to us. So, on our home field, we're going to try bounce back this time."