FAIRFAX, Va. – On a hot and steamy final day of August, the George Mason men's soccer team experienced its first scoreless drought of the young season.

The Patriots suffered a 3-0 shutout loss to visiting Drexel on Friday night at George Mason Stadium in front of a boisterous crowd that was livened by an appearance by the George Mason's Green Machine pep band. 

Mason (0-2) couldn't channel any momentum on the field, however, in its home opener. Two early goals by the Dragons (3-0) set the tone and the Patriots never recovered despite winning the shooting battle, 19-8.

"Their first two shots were goals and you find yourself in a hole," Mason head coach Greg Andrulis said. "The guys fought hard. They never gave up. They never quit. They went after it until the final minute. That is a positive. That shows a lot of character. We've got to get a little break here or there and get a little luck and get a goal and be able to dictate the game instead of chasing the game. We chased the game all night. We just weren't good enough in the final third and obviously their two transition goals really, really killed us."

Drexel scored just 12 minutes into the game when Chris Donovan netted his first career goal on the counter-attack, slipping it past Mason keeper Corey Chambers.

The Patriots looked like they might tie it up less than 10 minutes later when junior captain Ryan Mingachos fired a missile from 25 yards out on the left wing. His shot clanged off the crossbar and off Drexel goalkeeper Stephen Kopaschilis and out of play for a corner kick. 

Mason couldn't capitalize and, just a minute later, Drexel reversed field. Matthias Ebbesen got the ball deep in Patriots territory. He got past the Patriots defense and scored on a breakaway from five yards away for a 2-0 lead in the 22nd minute.

"It changes everything, doesn't it?" Andrulis said of the missed opportunity. "That it is unfortunate because (Mingachos) hit a missile. It hits the goalkeeper and goes out for a corner kick. They transition and go in and get a goal. We didn't handle the transition well. We got beat on that and that is unfortunate. We just have to get back on work on those things, make sure we improve in those areas and get this thing turned around."

Less than half of Mason's 19 shots made it on goal and when they did, Kopaschilis was there, making eight saves. Mingachos led the way with four shots, including that hit the frame (one on the crossbar and one off the right post). Senior captain Jordan Edwards also had three shots, including two on goal. Four other players registered two shots, including two shots on goal from transfer Gregor von Westphalen.

Drexel added a third goal in the 65th minute. The Dragons managed just eight shots, but five were on goal. 

The Patriots return to action next week as they host Gardner-Webb at 7 p.m. on Friday at George Mason Stadium.