WOMEN'S SOCCER vs. #14 Rutgers
WHEN:  Friday, Sept. 8, 5:00 p.m.
WHERE:  Fairfax, Va. | George Mason Stadium | Weather
RECORDS:  Mason (0-5-0, 0-0-0 A-10); #14 Rutgers (5-0-0, 0-0-0 Big Ten)
SERIES RECORD:  Mason leads, 9-4-2
LAST MEETING:  The Patriots defeated the Scarlet Knights 3-0 on Sept. 20, 2000 in Fairfax, Va.
COVERAGE:  A-10 Network ($) | Live stats
GAME OF THE WEEK:  Mason students with valid Mason student ID will receive a free Mason fidget spinner (while supplies last) at Friday's doubleheader with men's soccer.

WOMEN'S SOCCER at Towson
WHEN:  Sunday, Sept. 10, 2:00 p.m.
WHERE:  Towson, Md. | Tiger Soccer Complex | Weather
RECORDS:  Mason (0-5-0, 0-0-0 A-10), Towson (3-2-1, 0-0-0 CAA)
SERIES RECORD:  Mason leads, 11-1-0
LAST MEETING:  The Patriots defeated the Tigers 3-0 on Aug. 28, 2016 in Fairfax, Va.
COVERAGE:  Live video | Live stats

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FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason women's soccer team wraps up a three-game homestand, hosting No. 14 Rutgers on Friday at George Mason Stadium at 5 p.m.  The Patriots will then hit the road for a match at Towson on Sunday with the kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Tiger Soccer Complex in Towson, Md.

Mason (0-5-0) looks for its first win of the season after falling to Maryland 2-1 in overtime last time out, with the Terrapins netting the game-winning goal on a penalty kick.  Junior Rebecca Callison scored for the Patriots in the 56th minute to tie the contest.

"I think from game-to-game we are seeing better performances from our group," head coach Todd Bramble said.  "Sunday night against Maryland was our best performance of the season.  The only thing that was lacking in that game was us not converting on more of the chances that we created."

Callison, as well as senior Daniela Neves, each scored a goal for the Patriots against Maryland, while freshman goalkeeper Louisa Moser has made four saves in each of her first two NCAA contests.

"Daniela is off to a great start this year and is doing a lot for us getting into the attack and helping us create chances," Bramble said.  "Rebecca is also off to a good start and that was a big goal that she scored against Maryland.  She's gone through a position change and I give her a lot of credit for the start that she has had."

When the Patriots take the pitch against the Scarlet Knights, they will be facing an opponent ranked in the top-20 in the nation for the second time in the last three games.

It's also the ninth time that Mason has faced an opponent ranked in the top-25 of the United Soccer Coaches Poll in the last seven seasons.

"We have a healthy respect for all of our opponents, but we're not scared to play anybody," said Bramble.  "As long as we continue to keep getting better and play teams of this caliber, it's only going to help us in the long run."

Mason and Rutgers have met 15 times, with the Patriots holding a 9-4-2 all-time record against the Scarlet Knights.  The two teams will be meeting for the first time in 17 years.  Mason defeated Rutgers 3-0 on Sept. 20, 2000 in Fairfax, Va. 

SCOUTING RUTGERS

Rutgers finished the 2016 season with a 12-5-6 overall record and posted a 4-2-5 mark in the Big Ten Conference.  The Scarlet Knights went 7-1-3 at home and 4-3-3 on the road during the 2016 campaign.

No. 14 Rutgers (5-0-0) has moved up seven spots after being ranked No. 21 in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll.

The Scarlet Knights begin a two-game road trip with a visit to Mason after playing their first five games of the season at home. 

Rutgers has recorded all five victories by shutout, including a 7-0 win against Mount St. Mary's and a 2-0 victory over Drexel last weekend.  Six different players recorded a goal for the Scarlet Knights over the two games.

Rutgers ranks sixth in the nation with 18 goals scored through five games. 

Freshman Amirah Ali, who leads the Scarlet Knights with four goals and eight points, was named the Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week after scoring two goals in a span of three minutes against Mount St. Mary's.

Senior Colby Ciarrocca and sophomore Carina Hendley have each recorded three goals and two assists.

The Scarlet Knights are one of only five programs that have not allowed a goal against this season.  Junior goalkeeper Casey Murphy has made 11 saves over five games and is tied for second in the NCAA with five shutouts this season.

"The coaching staff at Rutgers has done a great job," Bramble said.  "The Scarlet Knights are a perennial NCAA Tournament team, so we knew that about them even before the season started.  Defensively they are very well organized and they have a great goalkeeper.  It's a big challenge ahead of us but we are looking forward to the opportunity."

SCOUTING TOWSON

Towson finished the 2016 season with an overall record of 6-12-1 and went 3-6-0 against Colonial Athletic Association opponents.  The Tigers finished 3-4-1 at home and 2-7-0 on the road last season.

The Tigers (3-2-1) have earned all three of their wins this season by the final score of 1-0, with victories over Loyola, Longwood and Lehigh.  After allowing a total of two goals against over the first five games, Towson fell 4-3 in overtime to Saint Joseph's last time out.

Towson plays at George Washington at 7 p.m. on Thursday before the matchup against Mason.

Junior forward McKenzie McCaull and classmate Sarah Quick are tied for the team lead with two goals each.  McCaull also leads the Tigers in assists (2) and points (6).

Senior goalkeeper Taylor Sebolao has recorded 32 saves and allowed six goals against through the first six games of the season.

Last season, Mason scored three goals in the second half in a 3-0 victory over Towson at George Mason Stadium.  Callison opened the scoring against the Tigers, finding the back of the net in her Mason debut.  Nia Elbeck and Nicolette Herdegen also scored for the Patriots in the win. 

Mason has a nine-game winning streak against Towson.  The Tigers last defeated the Patriots 1-0 on Oct. 26, 2003 in Towson, Md.

"Towson is off to a great start this season," Bramble said about facing the Tigers.  "We know their coaching staff well and they'll be a team that will compete really hard in the game.  It's going to be a much different game than we had last year on our home field. "

CORNER KICK

Mason has a 6-2-1 home record against Rutgers, including a four-game unbeaten streak (3-0-1) dating back to 1990.  The Patriots have outscored the Scarlet Knights by a combined score of 10-4 over the last four home contests.