Men's Soccer | 9/2/2017 12:10:00 AM

Box Score ALBANY, N.Y. – A pair of late-game goals sunk the George Mason men's soccer team in its first loss of the season.

In their road opener, the No. 22/RV Patriots surrendered two goals in the last six minutes in a 3-1 loss to Albany on Friday night at Casey Stadium. The Great Danes scored the go-ahead goal in the 85th minute and followed up with an insurance goal on a penalty kick less than two minutes later.

The loss was the first for the Patriots (2-1), who had jumped into the Soccer America Daily rankings and were receiving votes from the United Soccer Coaches poll after winning their first two games last weekend. Albany (2-1), which reached the NCAA Sweet 16 a year ago, has won two straight after losing its season opener to Marist.

"Full credit to Albany, a quality veteran team," head coach Greg Andrulis said. "The guys showed great character and determination, especially in response to Albany's first goal. A couple of bounces went (Albany's) way at the end and they seized on the moments. We made more progress tonight as a team, learned how good we could be, and we are looking forward to our next challenge on Sunday."

The teams were scoreless through the first 65 minutes until Albany's Brynjar Steinborsson unknotted the tie with a header off a corner kick.

It didn't take long for a response for Mason. Senior captain Henning Dirks scored just three minutes later off an assist from redshirt junior Graydon Hester. It was the second goal of the season for Dirks and second assist of the season for Hester.

The game looked like it might be heading into overtime until Albany's Afonso Pinherio found the back of the net in the 85th minute. Just 102 seconds later, he scored again – this time on a penalty kick.

Albany outshot the Patriots 17-5, firing off 14 shots in the second half. Mason goalkeeper Corey Chambers recorded five saves.

Mason returns to action to play Siena (0-1-1) at 1 p.m. on Sunday when it makes the short trip from Albany to Loudonville, New York.