WOMEN'S SOCCER vs. Massachusetts
WHEN: Sept. 26 | 7 p.m.
WHERE: George Mason Stadium | Fairfax, Va.
RECORDS: George Mason (2-5-1, 0-1 A-10); UMass (3-3-2, 0-1 A-10)
SERIES RECORD: The series is tied at 6-6-3.
COVERAGE: ESPN+ ($) | LIVE STATS
 

---

FAIRFAX, Va. –The George Mason women's soccer team (2-5-1, 0-1 A-10) competes in their Atlantic 10 home opener on Thursday, hosting Massachusetts (3-3-2, 0-1 A-10) at George Mason Stadium with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.
 
The all-time series between the two programs is tied at 6-6-3, making the contest on Thursday the rubber match in the series. The Patriots have won five in-a-row against the Minutewomen, outscoring Massachusetts 10-4 in those five games. 
 
The last time these two programs met, the Patriots' keepers Morgan Symmers and Louisa Moser earned a combined shutout while then freshman Emma van der Vorst scored her 10^thgoal of the season, helping to lift Mason to a 1-0 victory on Oct. 7, 2018. 
 
In their latest outing, Mason fell to Dayton in their first conference game of the season by a score of 2-0 last Sunday. The Patriots' offensive attack, led by defender Olivia Reese who notched five shots, put pressure on the Flyers early, earning six shots in the first half. Mason finished the game with a 10-9 advantage in shots, but could not put one in the back of the net. 
 
In the 39th minute, forward Emily Bradshaw fired a free kick chance that nearly grazed the right post. That chance proved to be the Patriots' best scoring chance of the day.
 
Junior Kayla Hamric currently leads the team in points (7) and is tied for the team lead in goals (2) and assists (3). 
 
On the other bench, UMass is led by a pair of forwards, sophomore Lauren Bonavita and freshman Melissa Kössler, who share the team lead in goals (5).
 
The Minutewomen began their conference schedule last Sunday as well, falling to Richmond in Amherst, Mass. UMass scored early in the match, earning a one-goal advantage after Bonavita earned her fifth goal of the season in the 3^rdminute. Despite the early lead, the Minutewomen's defense could not hold on, falling by a score of 2-1.
 
The game will be streamed on ESPN+ ($). Fans can also follow the action on Twitter (@MasonWSOC) and through live stats.