Men's Soccer | 9/23/2017 10:49:00 PM

Box Score FARMVILLE, Va. – Defense set the tone as the George Mason men's soccer team secured its first road win of the year.

The Patriots picked up a 2-0 shutout over Longwood on Saturday night to cap off their non-conference schedule. Mason (5-2-1) has won three of its last four games as its heads into the Atlantic 10 Conference opener next Saturday at home against Fordham.

Senior Henning Dirks scored his team-high seventh goal of the season in the first half, sophomore Grant Robinson notched his first career goal late in the second half for insurance and goalkeeper Tomas Lapnas and the defense held the Lancers scoreless for the team's second shutout of the season.

"Good result tonight. The key was a very solid defensive performance on the road," head coach Greg Andrulis said. "(Seniors) David Galdo, Noah Kemble and Dan Casey were very solid in the middle of the park. Offensively, it was good to see Grant Robinson get going a bit. Solid performance overall. We can turn all of our focus to the A-10 and specifically Fordham next Saturday at Mason."

Lapnas, making his second start of the season, made four saves. The Lancers (0-6-1) only placed four of their 14 shots on goal.

Dirks continued his impressive 2017 campaign with his sixth goal in as many games when he scored in the 29th minute off a free kick. It was the seventh goal of the season for Dirks and his 20th point, which is second-most in Division I.

The Patriots added onto the lead in the 80th minute. Sophomore Ryan Mingachos sent in a cross from the center of the box. Robinson received the pass and finished his shot into the right side for his first career goal.

Mason finished with 11 shots and seven shots on goal. Saturday's game marked the seventh time this season the Patriots have scored at least two goals in a game. Entering Saturday, Mason were tied for ninth in the country in goals per game (2.43).