PHILADELPHIA – A pair of late goals helped the George Mason women's lacrosse team snag a crucial road victory.

Sophomore Hailey Johnson and graduate student Corinne Wessels both scored on free-position attempts in the final three minutes as the Patriots pushed past La Salle for a 12-11 victory on Saturday night. Wessels, a native of Manassas, Va., led the way with a career-high five goals (on five shots) as the Patriots (8-2, 2-0 A-10) won their fourth straight.

Tied 10-10, Johnson netted the go-ahead goal with 2:49 left. Wessels then scored the eventual game-winner, also from eight meters out, with 1:19 to go for a huge two-goal advantage.

La Salle (4-6, 0-2) scored with 22 seconds remaining to pull within one. But Mason freshman Erin Donoghue won the ensuing draw control and the Patriots ran out the clock.

The game was close throughout with seven ties and three lead changes. The largest lead was three by Mason late in the first half. But the Explorers rattled off five consecutive goals to take an 8-6 lead into halftime.

The Patriots began the second half with their own spurt, scoring the first three goals out of the break. Senior Lindsey Tangeman scored back-to-back free-position goals and then Wessels scored off a dish from Johnson to take the lead. La Salle twice tied the game, the last resulting in a 10-10 tie with 16:55 left.

Both teams were held scoreless for the next 14 minutes. Then Johnson's free-position goal gave Mason the lead for good and set up a frantic final three minutes.
Tangeman, Johnson and senior captain Holly Tevis each scored twice and junior Chachi Kelehan also added a goal. Johnson, Tangeman, Kelehan and senior captain Hannah Warpinski all dished out assists.

Sophomore goalkeeper Melissa Semkiw made 12 saves and moved to fourth all-time in school history with her 15th career victory.

After playing five consecutive games on the road, the Patriots head back to Fairfax to play their A-10 home opener against Davidson at 4 p.m. on Friday at George Mason Stadium.