FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason women's soccer team (2-7-1, 0-3 A-10) fell to in-state rival VCU (7-3-1, 1-2-0 A-10) Sunday by a score of 5-1 at George Mason Stadium.
 
Mason freshman Grace Hotaling earned her second career goal in the 39^th minute off of a great play from captain Gabriela Rivera. The assist was the fourth of the season for Rivera, as she now leads the team in that category.
 
Early on, VCU's offense attack proved to be too much for the Patriots, scoring their first three goals in a span of six minutes.
 
The Rams first goal came off of a penalty try, after the Patriots committed a foul on a VCU corner. The Rams spent a majority of their possession time in the offensive zone.
 
HOW THEY SCORED
 
MASON
39' | Grace Hotaling scores on the right wing into the bottom left corner of the net on a play from Gabriela Rivera.
 
VCU
20' | Emma Kershner scores into the bottom right corner of the net on a penalty kick.
23' | Susanna Friedrichs scores on an offensive rush right under the goalkeeper. Assist Samantha Jerabek.
26' | Jerabek scores her third goal of the season into the bottom left corner of the net. Assists to Idelys Vazquez and Emma Kershner.
43' | Jerabek earns her second goal of the game on a play from Niki Malacone. Assist Malacone.
59' | Friedrichs notches her second goal of the day into the top part of the net. Assist Paige Franks.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
 
The Rams earned an advantage over the Patriots in shots (12-6), shots on goal (6-4) and saves (3-1). Both teams recorded seven corner kicks, 14 total, none of which turned into scores. Mason tabbed 57 percent of possession time throughout the contest.
 
Hotaling scored her second career goal, while Rivera earned her fourth assist of the season.
 
POST GAME CEREMONY

After the contest, Mason Athletics honored the life of Patriots soccer alum Stephanie Hancock ('01), who passed away on June 29, 2019.

A post-match ceremony commemorating Hancock, along with a permanent bench in her honor was placed adjacent to the north entrance of George Mason Stadium. Friends and family of Stephanie shared this moment with former and current Mason women's soccer student-athletes and staff.

Stephanie was a four-year starter, a co-captain and a Scholar-Athlete for the Patriots. She went on to serve her country as part of the United States Secret Service, last serving on the Presidential Protective Detail.

UP NEXT
 
Mason hits the road to continue Atlantic 10 conference play against Fordham on Thursday, Oct. 3.