WOMEN'S SOCCER vs. George Washington
WHEN:  Thursday, Sept. 21, 7:00 p.m.
WHERE:  Fairfax, Va. | George Mason Stadium | Weather
RECORDS:  Mason (3-6-0, 0-0-0 A-10); George Washington (5-2-1, 0-0-0 A-10)
SERIES RECORD:  Mason leads, 20-2-3
LAST MEETING:  The Patriots defeated the Colonials 1-0 Oct. 23, 2016 in Washington, D.C.
COVERAGE:  A-10 Network ($) | Live stats
GAME OF THE WEEK:  Mason students with valid Mason student ID will receive free Mason sunglasses (while supplies last).

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FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason women's soccer team begins Atlantic 10 Conference play, hosting rival George Washington on Thursday at 7 p.m. at George Mason Stadium.

Mason (3-6-0) enters the contest with a three-game winning streak, while George Washington (5-2-1) has won five consecutive games.

The Patriots defeated ETSU 6-1 on Friday and Penn 2-0 on Sunday.  Mason outscored the Buccaneers and Quakers by a combined score of 6-0 in the second half over the two games and combined with their 2-1 overtime win at Towson, the Patriots have surrendered just two goals in three games.

"Our first win at Towson and how we did it really injected some life into the team," head coach Todd Bramble said.  "Rebecca Callison has contributed goals in two games recently and although Nia Elbeck hasn't popped up on the scoresheet yet, she's doing a tremendous job on the right side attacking for us."

Freshman goalkeeper Louisa Moser made four saves against Penn, including three in the second half, to earn her first NCAA shutout. 

"For us, defending is a team concept," Bramble said.  "It's not just about our back four and our goalkeeper.  We know our whole squad has bought into that and understands how we want to defend.  I'm really pleased with how the team is operating on that side of the ball."              
                                                             
Sophomore Emily Bradshaw recorded her first collegiate goal and assist against ETSU, while junior Allison Littell posted her first NCAA assist and freshman Amanda Nhek collected her first two career assists.

Callison leads the team with three goals and seven points, while senior Erin Mitchell and junior Emily Littell are second on the squad with two goals each.

Eight players have scored at least one goal and 12 different players have registered at least one point for the Patriots over the first nine games. 

The Patriots finished the 2016 season with a 6-3-1 overall record against the Atlantic 10, including a mark of 3-1-1 at home against conference opponents.

Mason defeated George Washington 1-0 last season when Sarah Hardison scored in the 32nd minute of play.  Each of the last seven games between the Patriots and Colonials has been decided by a single tally.

"I really don't see Thursday's game going any different than the past several have," said Bramble of the close games against the Colonials.  "I think it's going to be decided by a goal and it's going to take something special to score that goal."        
                                                  
SCOUTING GEORGE WASHINGTON

George Washington has an overall record of 5-2-1.  The Colonials are 2-1-1 at home and 3-1-0 on the road this season.

The Colonials have won five straight games, outscoring opponents by a combined score of 10-3 with two shutouts.

George Washington erased a one-goal deficit in a 2-1 overtime win at James Madison on Sunday.  Senior Brittany Cooper, who was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Week, scored the game-winner with 30 seconds remaining in the game. 

Freshman midfielder Alexis Williams and junior midfielder Sofia Pavon are tied for the team lead in goals (3), while Williams is tied for the lead in points (8).  Cooper paces the Colonials in assists (4) and is tied for the team lead in points (8). 

Williams earned Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week honors after recording one goal and two assists over two games last weekend.

Senior goalkeeper Miranda Horn is 5-2-1 with a 1.17 goals against average.  Horn needs 11 saves for fourth place on George Washington's all-time list and six shutouts for the most all-time by a Colonials goalkeeper.

"The Colonials play a really good style and I think we're both interested in playing good soccer," said Bramble.  "We have a mutual respect for each other.  We both defend really well and they are good in transition.  The Colonials are really mobile and when they have the ball they are really dynamic and that makes them hard to defend."        
                                                  
CORNER KICK

The Patriots are 20-2-3 all-time against the Colonials, recording more wins against George Washington than any other program.