WHEN: Wednesday, 4 p.m.
WHERE: George Mason Stadium, Fairfax, Va.
RECORDS: Delaware leads, 7-2
LAST MEETING: Delaware def. Mason 16-8, on March 13, 2019 in Newark, Del.
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FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason University lacrosse team returns to action Saturday afternoon with a home contest against Delaware.
First draw between the Patriots and Blue Hens is scheduled for 4 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, with live stats also available via GoMason.com.
Mason last played on Feb. 15 against the William & Mary Tribe. The Patriots were victorious, winning 20-11, to get their first win of the season. The Patriots quickly jumped out to a 2-0 lead and kept that comfortable two-point lead until 6-4 in the opening stanza, where Mason scored five straight goals to lead 11-5 at halftime.
The Green & Gold then kept up the pressure, scoring seven straight goals after being up 11-8 to go up 18-8, and then effectively win the game 20-11.
It marked Mason's first 20 goal effort since a 20-6 win over La Salle on March 24 last season.
2019 A-10 Rookie of the Year Deanna Balsama continued her great play Saturday, putting in a massive 12-draw game, just one short of the school record set by Hannah Warpinski in 2017. She is averaging 9.5 draws/game over the first two contests of 2020.
Balsama finished with five points (2g, 3a) for the game on an offensively-minded Patriot team on Saturday.
Junior Erin Donoghue notched a career-best seven points (6g, 1a) on the day and also contributed four draws and three ground balls in the winning effort.
THE SERIES WITH DELAWARE
Wednesday will mark the 10th all-time meeting between George Mason and Delaware in women's lacrosse. The Blue Hens hold an 7-2 edge in the all-time series. Delaware has won the last 6 meetings and have not lost to the Patriots since 2009. Delaware won the matchup last season, 16-8, on Mar. 13, 2019, in Newark. Former teammate Chachi Kelehan lead the Patriots with four points in the contest, while four other players (Niki Baker, Erin Donoghue, Deanna Balsama and Rynn Morgan) scored one point each.
A LOOK AT THE BLUE HENS (0-1, 0-0 CAA)
Delaware was picked fourth in the 2020 CAA preseason poll. The Blue Hens opened the season with a 11-13 setback against Rutgers on Feb. 15. DElware returns nearly 35% of their roster a year ago and will look to return to the CAA Tournament. Delaware is currently eight wins away to reach 400 as a program. A three-time All-CAA honoree and a 2020 Preseason All-CAA pick Mia DeRuggierio lead the Blue Hens with two points (1G, 1A), and one ground ball.
UP NEXT
Mason travels to Emmitsburg, Md., to take on Mt. St. Mary's on Feb 26. The first draw is scheduled for 4 p.m.
