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ST. LOUIS - The George Mason men's soccer team is developing a knack for the theatrics.

For the second straight game, the Patriots uncorked a golden goal in double overtime, this time with junior Grant Robinson's blast in the 102nd minute of a 1-0 victory over No. 7 seed Dayton in the semifinals of the Atlantic 10 Men's Soccer Championship on a snowy and frigid Friday night at Hermann Stadium. 

Mason (9-7) advances to play No. 4 seed Rhode Island in the A-10 title game for the second time and first since its inaugural year in the league in 2013. A conference tournament championship and the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament will be on the line when the teams square off at 1 p.m. on Sunday on ESPN+.

It was the second consecutive double-overtime victory for the Patriots, who reached the semifinals thanks to a 1-0 win in the 108th minute over Saint Louis in the quarterfinals on Sunday in Fairfax. Mason has posted four shutouts in a row and hasn't allowed a goal in more than 449 minutes dating back to a loss to VCU on Oct. 20. The four straight shutout victories are their most since 2009.

"I'm excited for the guys," head coach Greg Andrulis said. "A shutout against a good Dayton team. They had us on our heels for a little bit in the first half but we fought back. I thought we evened up the game in the second half. Both teams had chances and a special player for us made a special play. I really thought the key to the success tonight was getting the shutout. We had a little luck with the crossbar and Clark was good and (defender) Jordan (Edwards) was good again. 

"Happy for the team, lot of guys put a lot of hard work into it. Now we try to get healthy and ready for Sunday."

Robinson, a midfielder from Columbia, Md., scored on a set piece less than two minutes into the second overtime. Junior Tunde Akinlosotu, from Bowie, Md., sent a corner kick into the penalty box. The ball bounced off the Dayton defense but the Flyers (9-6-4) failed to clear the ball, which went right to Robinson.

The left-footed junior actually stepped into a shot with his right foot and smoked a 23-yard blast into the upper left corner as goalkeeper Federico Barrios was frozen in his tracks. Robinson turned and raced down field, ripping off his shirt as the benches cleared and his teammates joined him in a wild celebration.

"As soon as he struck it, it was as sweet as gold," Andrulis said. "I'm so happy for him and the boys to see them celebrate and just enjoy the moment."

"The ball came into the box, when it came out, he missed the ball actually clearing it," Robinson added. "There is not too much thinking, really (on the shot). It just kind of happened. All the practice through the years. I'd never really thought I'd need the right foot there. But it's just an amazing feeling. I saw it was clean. You know when you hit it if it is clean. I had a good feeling. Once I saw it clear that line of defense, I was pretty sure the only thing that was going to stop it would be the post. I just reacted and started to run (down the field).

"We always felt this is what we deserved and we were coming to win. It is an amazing feeling. Besides just the goal, everyone just getting the shutout, working and talking as a team."

Dayton, which had won five straight, outshout the Patriots 6-0 in the first half. The Flyers had a couple solid chances in the opening period, including one that hit the crossbar and another that bounced off the chest of Mason defender Jordan Edwards and bounced to Gronek. The senior goalkeeper made three of his saves in the opening 45 minutes.

Mason came alive in the second half, firing off 11 shots. Dayton held the shooting advantage just barely, 13-12. The Patriots had just two shots on goal the entire game. 

The win clinches Mason's first winning season since 2014. The Patriots also are on their longest winning streak since that 2014 campaign.

"This is the first time my class and the (seniors) have been in the tournament. It is an honor to be here," Robinson said. "We weren't going to be satisfied with just coming. We really wanted to make an impact, to show that we deserved to be here."