Men's Soccer | 8/30/2018 4:00:00 PM

MEN'S SOCCER vs. DREXEL
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 31, 2018 | 6 p.m.
WHERE: Fairfax, Va. | George Mason Stadium
RECORDS:  Mason (0-1-0); Drexel (2-0-0)
SERIES RECORD:  Mason leads 6-5-2
LIVE VIDEO: CLICK HERE
LIVE STATS: CLICK HERE
 
GAME OF THE WEEK
The Patriots host Drexel in their home opener and the Game of the Week at George Mason Stadium Friday night. All George Mason students with a valid student ID will receive free novelty ice cream. Mason students receive free admission to all George Mason sporting events. In addition, George Mason's dynamite pep band, the Green Machine, will be at the game performing with Doc Nix. 
 
LAST TIME OUT
Mason fell short in its season opener last Friday, dropping a 2-1 decision to American in Washington, D.C. Junior midfielder Grant Robinson scored his second career goal in the 17th minute after making several nifty moves inside the box before uncorking a shot from 15 yards out just inside the near post. But the Patriots surrendered two goals after halftime and attempted just four shots on goal.
 
SCOUTING DREXEL
The Dragons are off to a 2-0 start after defeating Binghamton 3-2 on Friday and Lehigh 2-1 on Monday. At Lehigh on Monday, the Dragons rallied in the last 20 minutes and won in overtime thanks to a goal by Griffin Mallas just three minutes into the extra period. Mallas and Kwesi Allen lead Drexel with two goals apiece. Last fall, Drexel finished 2-14-1.
 
SERIES HISTORY
The Patriots own a slight edge over Drexel, 6-5-2, in the overall series as the teams used to regularly meet when Mason was in the Colonial Athletic Association. The teams haven't met, though, since 2012. The Patriots last defeated the Dragons in 2009 and the last two meetings between the teams went into overtime.  
 
GLIMPSE AT THE PATRIOTS
Mason returns 21 letterwinners and seven starters from last year's team that went 5-9-2. Junior midfielder Ryan Mingachos leads the way as the team's top returning scorer as he logged a career-high six goals and three assists for 15 points in 2017. The Patriots add 12 newcomers, including seven transfers and five freshmen. The group features forward Colin Brezniak, who scored three goals and made nine starts at Pittsburgh last fall, and a pair of transfers from Virginia Tech in forward Gregor von Westphalen and midfielder Daniel Damiani. Mason also brings in defender Pablo Pertusa, who was a junior college All-American at Monroe College in New York last season.

NEXT UP
Mason continues its three-game homestand against Gardner-Webb in its first game of the D.C. College Cup at 7 p.m. next Friday at George Mason Stadium. The Patriots then wrap up the D.C. College Cup at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 9, against Mount St. Mary's at George Mason Stadium.