Men's Soccer | 11/10/2018 2:20:00 PM

MEN'S SOCCER vs. RHODE ISLAND (A-10 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME)
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018 | 1 p.m.
WHERE: St. Louis, Mo. | Hermann Stadium
RECORDS: No. 3 seed Mason (9-7, 5-3 Atlantic 10); No. 4 seed Rhode Island (14-4, 5-3 Atlantic 10)
SERIES RECORD: Tied at 4-4 
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LIVE STATS: CLICK HERE
A-10 TOURNAMENT CENTRAL: CLICK HERE
 
CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWDOWN
The Patriots (9-7, 5-3 A-10) are playing in the championship game of the Atlantic 10 Men's Soccer Championship for just the second time and first since winning the title in their inaugural season in the league in 2013. The game will be streamed on ESPN+. The winner of Sunday's match receives the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The teams have met once before in the conference tournament. The Rams defeated Mason 2-1 in double overtime in the semifinals of the 2014 A-10 Championship on their way to the tournament crown that year.
 
SCOUTING RHODE ISLAND
The Rams (14-4, 5-3) has won two straight and four of five. Their lone less in that stretch was a 2-0 setback to Mason on Halloween night in Fairfax. The Rams advanced to the A-10 title game for the second time with a 1-0 victory over No. 1 seed VCU in the semifinals on Friday. Senior Chae Brangman scored the game-winner in the 56th minute. Dominik Richter and Stavros Zarokostas lead the team with eight goals apiece. Rhode Island has been ranked as high as No. 23 in the United Soccer Coaches national poll this season and enters the game with an RPI of 23.

SERIES HISTORY
The all-time series is tied 4-4. The teams met just 10 days ago on Halloween night in Fairfax, with the Patriots winning 2-0 in the regular-season finale. Junior captain Ryan Mingachos scored both goals in the second half for his third multi-goal game. Rhode Island played more than 65 minutes with just 10 men on the field as their top scorer, Dominik Richter (eight goals, 21 points), received a red card. Though both teams tied for third place with 5-3 records in conference play, Mason received the No. 3 seed thanks to the head-to-head tiebreaker.

LAST TIME OUT
For the second straight game, the Patriots advanced in the A-10 Championship thanks to a golden goal in double overtime. Junior midfielder Grant Robinson scored his fifth goal of the season in the 102nd minute. Robinson booted the ball from 23 yards away into the top upper left corner after a corner kick by Tunde Akinlosotu bounced off the Dayton defense. Senior goalkeeper Clark Gronek made five saves for his seventh shutout – the most in a season by a Mason keeper since Steffen Kraus posted nine clean sheets in 2013. It marked the fourth straight shutout for the Patriots, who haven't allowed a goal in the last 449 minutes dating back to Oct. 20. Mason extended its winning streak to four games – its longest in four years.

ALL-ROOKIE SELECTION
George Mason defender Ato Williams was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team. Williams, a junior college transfer from St. Catherine, Jamaica, has played in 11 games with 11 starts this season. The left center back, who spent the last two years at Trinidad State (Colo.) Junior College, has made a pair of defensive saves this year and is a big part in the defense's success. He has contributed to six shutouts, including three straight heading into Friday's game.

MINGACHOS HONORED
George Mason midfielder Ryan Mingachos collected a pair of honors this week. After he scored two goals in a 2-0 victory over Rhode Island in the regular-season finale on Halloween, he was named the Atlantic 10 Co-Offensive Player of the Week. He was also named to the Top Drawer National Team of the Week for his play against Rhode Island and in a 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Saint Louis on Sunday. He also was the Hero Sports Men's Soccer Hero of the Week on Friday.

A-10 FINISH
The Patriots finished in a tie for third place in the A-10 for their highest finish since 2013. The No. 3 seed is also their highest in five years. The five A-10 wins are tied for the most in program history and this marks the first winning season in A-10 play since 2014.