FAIRFAX, Va. – Two late first-half goals unfortunately rewrote the tone for the George Mason men's soccer team.

The Patriots allowed two goals before halftime and never recovered in a 3-0 loss to Appalachian State on Saturday night.

The Mountaineers (6-2-1) quickly gained breathing room in a tight battle. In the 39th minute, Justin Pruitt sent a cross from the left side into the penalty box. A sliding Aldo Tarantini got his foot on the ball from 10 yards out and past Mason goalkeeper Clark Gronek.

Three minutes later, App State would add insurance. The Mountaineers crossed in a corner kick that was knocked out of the box by the Patriots (2-4). But the ball bounced to Felix Kollmanthaller, who sent a pass more than 40 yards into the box. There, 6-foot-4 Zeiko Harris jumped up and headed the ball into the net from 10 yards away.

"Once they get the second one right before halftime, it takes the wind out of your sails," Mason head coach Greg Andrulis said.

Appalachian State added another goal in the 79th minute, again by Harris. Despite 14 shots, the Patriots didn't threaten much. They mustered only three shots on goal.

"Our rhythm in the first half, the first 20, 25 minutes was pretty good," Andrulis said. "Once they got their goal our rhythm changed and we got hectic. Then, there was just too many turnovers. We just lost our rhythm and our flow. We needed to keep the ball moving. We're so anxious to get results. Then, all of a sudden, we were trying to take some shortcuts. We needed to keep playing and let it come. It just didn't."

The Patriots now turn their attention to Atlantic 10 play. They host Revolutionary Rival George Washington in the league opener at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at George Mason Stadium.