Photo courtesy of Jim Agnew

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Turnovers proved costly for the George Mason women's lacrosse team on Saturday.

The Patriots suffered a 10-6 loss to William & Mary at Martin Family Stadium. Mason committed 30 turnovers, including 11 in the final 16 minutes as the Tribe rallied from behind with five unanswered goals to end the game.

Freshman Deanna Balsama scored two goals for the second straight game and dished out the first three assists of her career for the Patriots (0-2). The reigning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week leads the team with four goals, three assists and seven points through two games.

Sophomores Erin Donoghue, Abby Folker and Olivia O'Brien and junior Morgan Rynn also scored. Junior Julianna Brown also dished out an assist. Donoghue won four draw controls and Folker and Hailey Johnson each won two as the Patriots held a 10-8 edge on draw controls.

In a steady rainfall, the Patriots rallied back from an early 3-0 deficit. Back-to-back goals from Rynn and O'Brien in the final five minutes half gave Mason a 5-4 heading into the break. After the Tribe (1-0) tied it up less than 10 minutes into the second half, Balsama put the Patriots back in front with her fourth goal of the season.

But that would be Mason's last goal of the game as William & Mary scored five goals during a 10-minute span. The Patriots recorded just one shot after Balsama's final goal. Mason had more than twice as many turnovers (30) than shots (14). The Tribe also turned the ball over 27 times, with the Patriots causing 18 turnovers. Folker led the way with three caused turnovers.

For the second straight game, junior Melissa Semkiw and senior Elizabeth Benedetto split time in goal. Semkiw started the game and made two saves while allowing four goals. Benedetto took over after halftime and made four stops while surrendering six goals.

The Patriots will be back in action and back on the road against Longwood at 1 p.m. on Saturday in Farmville, Va.