Box Score (PDF)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The George Mason University women's lacrosse team stepped up its defense and put forth a solid effort in its season opener Saturday during a 10-4 loss to No. 21 Navy.
 
Mason held the Midshipmen under their scoring average from a year ago and were within striking distance throughout the contest while braving freezing rain and bitter cold. The Patriots forced 20 Navy turnovers, but gave up 24 miscues on the other end. Navy ultimately took control of the contest by holding a 13-2 edge on draw controls for the game.

"While the outcome was not what we hoped for today, the chance to compete against a top-20 opponent in Navy is exactly what our program needed to begin the season," head coach Kara Mupo said. "We will take this game as a valuable learning opportunity to regroup and focus on the skills and concepts that we strongly believe will pave the way for our future success in the weeks to come."
 
Junior Deanna Balsama led the Patriots with two points on the day, including a goal and an assist. Senior Olivia O'Brien added a goal, a team-high two caused turnovers, a draw control and a ground ball, while sophomores Morgan Gunn and Tristan Usher also chipped in a goal on the day.
 
Defensively, senior Ali Johnston picked up a trio of ground balls, while fellow senior Holliston Wagner tallied a pair of ground balls and caused a turnover. Senior Sasha Silva posted a caused turnover and ground ball as well.
 
In the cage, Mason's pair of goalies compiled strong all-around debuts. Sophomore Fiona Rickels played the first half and made four saves while giving up five goals. In the second half, freshman Mason Donohue notched five saves and picked up three ground balls.
 
Navy opened the scoring at the 24:44 mark of the first half, but Mason responded with the equalizer a few minutes later. Taking advantage of a man-up opportunity, Balsama found a cutting Gunn near the cage for the score at 16:58.
 
Back-to-back goals from Navy put the Midshipmen up 3-1 with 8:37 left in the first half. Mason's defense continued to limit Navy, but a tough 24-second stretch to end the half allowed the Midshipmen to add two goals to the lead. Navy took a 5-1 edge into the break.
 
O'Brien scored from the free position to cut the lead to three (5-2) less than four minutes into the second half. Navy rattled off three-straight goals over a four-minute stretch to increase the lead to six (8-2) with 16:05 remaining.
 
Back-to-back unassisted goals from Usher and Balsama moved Mason back within four (8-4) with 11:26 to go. Usher's goal came off a nifty spin and score from behind the cage, while Balsama juked her defender in transition and broke towards the goal for the score.
 
Mason had a chance to get within three, but Navy was able to put two more shots into the back of the net to wrap up the contest at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
 
The Patriots make their home debut next Saturday (February 20) when the team hosts Longwood. First draw in George Mason Stadium is set for 2 p.m. The contest will be broadcast on ESPN+.
 
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