WHEN: Saturday, 11 a.m.
WHERE: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium - Annapolis, Md..
RECORDS: Mason (0-0), Navy (0-0)
LAST MEETING: First matchup between the schools
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+ (Click here)
LIVE STATS: Click here

FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason women's lacrosse program kicks off its inaugural season under head coach Kara Mupo Saturday when the Patriots play at No. 21 Navy.
 
Mason and the Midshipmen will square off at 11 a.m. in Annapolis. The game will be streamed on ESPN+, with live stats also available via StatBroadcast.
 
THE SERIES
Despite the close proximity between the schools, Saturday's game marks the first ever contest between the Patriots and Midshipmen in women's lacrosse.
 
A LOOK AT THE #21 MIDSHIPMEN (0-0, 0-0 PATRIOT)
One of the most consistent programs in the nation, Navy enters the 2021 season ranked 21^st in the IWLCA Coaches Poll and is picked second in the Patriot League behind No. 4 Loyola (Md.). The Midshipmen have won NCAA Tournament contests in three-consecutive seasons (2017-19) and were ranked No. 21 in the IWLCA Poll when the 2020 season ended in March. Navy went 2-4 last season, with three of those losses coming to ranked foes. The team also defeated No. 21 Duke, 16-15.
 
Preseason All-Patriot League pick is Navy's top returning point scorer (18 pts – 6g, 12 a). Fellow preseason All-Patriot League pick Reagan Roelofs added 13 points on 12 goals and an assist during the shortened 2020 campaign. In the cage, junior Abbi Young returns for Navy after tallying a 13.77 goals against average and .457 save percentage last season.
 
PATRIOTS EMBARK ON CHALLENGING NON-CONFERENCE SLATE
The Patriots will play a trio of nationally-ranked opponents during the non-conference season, including the 21^st-ranked Midshipmen, No. 10 James Madison (March 3) and No. 16 Virginia (March 10). In addition, the Patriots will play five of their first six contests on the road in 2021.
 
DYNAMIC DUO RETURNS FOR PATRIOTS IN 2021
Mason's talented pair of senior Erin Donoghue and junior Deanna Balsama return for another go-around this season. Balsama, a 2020 VaSID All-State selection and the 2019 A-10 Rookie of the Year, led Mason in scoring (22g, 11a – 33 pts) last season while ranking in the top-40 nationally in both points per game (4.71, 36th) and draw controls per game (5.7, 31st). Meanwhile, Donoghue, a 2019 A-10 First Team pick, notched 16 points (15g, 1a) last season while ranking third on the team with 22 draw controls. She also ranked second on the Patriots with 11 ground balls.
 
DEFENSIVE EXPERIENCE TO BOLSTER GREEN & GOLD
Mason has three defenders and/or defensive midfielders returning who started all seven games last season. That talented group includes seniors Ali Johnston and Sasha Silva and sophomore Izzy Allen. The group will provide depth and experience while working with a goalkeeper unit that includes freshman Mason Donohue and junior Fiona Rickels.
 
NEXT UP
Mason returns to action next Saturday (February 20) for the team's home opener vs. Longwood. First draw inside George Mason Stadium is scheduled for 2 p.m.