*Emma van der Vorst scored her first collegiate goal on a penalty kick in the 48th minute.
*Sara Chontosh scored her first NCAA goal, the game-winner in the 74th minute.
*Kayla Hamric picked up an assist on the game-winning goal.
 
Box score
 
FAIRFAX, Va. – Mason freshman forward Emma van der Vorst and sophomore midfielder Sara Chontosh each scored their first collegiate goal, propelling the Patriots to a 2-1 victory over Old Dominion in the home opener on Thursday night at George Mason Stadium.
 
Mason (2-2-0) fell behind Old Dominion (2-1-2) in the 40th minute of play when junior forward Gaby Bentley tapped in a rebound off a corner kick to put the Monarchs in front 1-0.
 
After being outshot 10-3 in the first half, the Patriots struck early in the second half of play.
 
The Monarchs were whistled inside the penalty area in the 47th minute and van der Vorst converted the penalty kick, driving a shot into the lower left corner of the net for the equalizer.
 
"Emma's going to be a really good attacking player for us and I thought she showed great composure on that penalty kick," Mason head coach Todd Bramble said.  "Having to come from behind in a game early in the season is good for our team development.  Old Dominion is a good team and we had to fight for that result tonight.  I'm proud of the players and how they handled those moments."
 
In the 74th minute, Mason sophomore Kayla Hamric played a corner kick into the box and Chontosh struck with a low shot inside the right post to give the Patriots a 2-1 advantage, a lead they wouldn't surrender.
 
"That was a gritty play on the corner kick," Bramble said.  "There were a lot of bodies flying around in there and for Sara to stick in there and get something on it to push it across the line was huge for us."
 
Old Dominion finished with a 16-8 advantage in shots.  Each team finished with three shots on goal.  The Patriots had six corner kicks, while the Monarchs had five in the game.
 
Mason redshirt-junior goaltender Morgan Symmers (2-1-0) made two saves in the first half to record the win.  Old Dominion junior goalkeeper Erin Davidson (2-1-2) made one save.
 
The Patriots have a 6-2-1 record in the last nine meetings against the Monarchs.  Mason improved to 11-3-1 all-time at home against Old Dominion.
 
"We've always been a good home team," Bramble added.  "The players really enjoy playing at this facility.  From a confidence standpoint, I think the players will take a lot from this game."
 
The Patriots continue their homestand against East Carolina on Sunday, with the kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. at George Mason Stadium.