WOMEN'S SOCCER vs. Old Dominion
WHEN:  Thursday, August 30, 2018 | 7:00 p.m.
WHERE:  Fairfax, Va. | George Mason Stadium
RECORDS:  Mason (1-2-0); Old Dominion (2-0-2)
SERIES RECORD:  Mason leads, 16-8-2
LAST MEETING:  The Monarchs defeated the Patriots 4-1 on Aug. 18, 2017 at the ODU Soccer Complex in Norfolk, Va. 
COVERAGE:  Watch ($) | Live stats

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FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason women's soccer team hosts Old Dominion in the home opener on Thursday, with the kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. at George Mason Stadium.
 
Last time out, Mason (1-2-0) fell to Rutgers 4-0 on Sunday at Yurcak field in Piscataway, N.J.  Sophomore midfielder Kayla Hamric led the Patriots with three shots, while senior midfielder Rebecca Callison finished with two shots in the game.   
 
After beginning the season with three straight games on the road, the Patriots are set to play their first of eight regular-season games at George Mason Stadium.
 
"That's a conscious decision to build our schedule this way, to take our team out on the road early on and play tough opponents," Mason head coach Todd Bramble said.  "We like to wait for school to start and the students to get here before we play at home.  We're going to be the first sporting event on campus to kick off the whole season.  Our players are really excited to play here in front of the enthusiastic students on Thursday night."
 
The Patriots dropped a 4-1 decision to the Monarchs in the 2017 season opener at the ODU Soccer Complex.  Old Dominion forward Iris Achterhof netted the first goal of the game in the 17th minute of play.
 
Mason's Daniela Neves scored her first NCAA goal on a free kick in the 53rd minute to even the match 1-1, but the Monarchs scored the final three goals of the game. 
 
The Patriots finished with an 11-9 advantage in shots, including a 7-6 advantage in shots on goal.
 
Mason is 5-2-1 in the last eight meetings against Old Dominion dating back to the 2009 season, including a 3-1-0 mark at home.  The Patriots are 10-3-1 all-time against the Monarchs at George Mason Stadium, outscoring Old Dominion by a combined 39-15.
 
"We've been working really hard just with the number of new players we are trying to introduce to the team," Bramble said.  "Trying to find the right chemistry and the right substitution patterns, that's been a work in progress.  The nerves are gone by now, but I fully expect that there will be excitement when we step out on our home field tomorrow night in front of our home crowd."
 
SCOUTING OLD DOMINION
 
Old Dominion finished the 2017 season with an overall record of 9-5-4, including a mark of 6-2-2 against Conference USA opponents.  The Monarchs went 6-2-0 at home and 3-2-4 on the road last season. 
 
The Monarchs (2-0-2) are off to their best start since 2010.  Old Dominion will be playing on the road for the first time this season after beginning the campaign with a four-game homestand. 
 
Last time out, Old Dominion played to a 0-0 double-overtime draw against Appalachian State on Sunday.  The Monarchs outshot the Mountaineers 23-6 in the game. 
 
The Monarchs began the season with a 1-1 double-overtime draw against East Carolina (Aug. 17), then recorded consecutive shutouts with a 3-0 win over Mount St. Mary's (Aug. 19) and a 4-0 victory against Towson (Aug. 23).
 
Senior midfielder Kira Laurento, who was named C-USA Offensive Player of the Week for week one, leads the team in goals (2) and is tied for the team lead in points (4). 
 
Senior forward Natalie Johnson and senior forward Iris Achterhof have each recorded one goal and two assists over the first four games.
 
In goal, junior Erin Davidson (2-0-2, 0.25 GAA) has stopped 12 of the 13 shots that she has faced in four games.
 
"We have a lot of respect for their program and their coaching staff," Bramble said of the match against Old Dominion.  "They do a great job and it's always a fun game for us to play every year.  We know it's going to be fast-paced.  They are an attack-minded team and they have good players who are going to create chances, but there are going to be chances on the other end for us.  It's going to be an exciting game for the fans to watch."
 
CORNER KICK
 
Jisca Adigo, Írunn Aradottir, Kayla Hamric and Shannon Lee each made their collegiate debut against Old Dominion last season.