Box Score (PDF)

RADFORD, Va. – The George Mason University women's lacrosse team held off a feisty Radford bunch to pick up an 11-10 victory on Saturday afternoon in the Roanoke Valley.
 
Mason jumped out to a 4-0 lead and took an 8-6 edge into the break. Radford cut the lead to one with under four minutes to play, but the Patriots' defense held firm to secure the first career victory for new head coach Kara Mupo.

"We want to thank Radford for giving us the opportunity to compete today," Mupo said. "Competition has been a focal point of ours over the last several days. I'm proud of our team's effort and our ability to come together at the end to close out a TEAM victory. This new style of lacrosse we are asking our girls to play is not easy, but we are trusting the process and focusing on celebrating the small victories along the way. As one of my mentors once said, 'Trust the process! Rome was not built in a day!'"
 
The Patriots' defense benefited from an outstanding performance from freshman goaltender Mason Donohue. The Rocky Point, N.Y., product faced 23 shots on goal and saved a personal-best 13 of them to post an impressive .565 save percentage and notch their first collegiate win.
 
On the other end of the field, seven Patriots scored at least one goal in a solid all-around effort by the attacking unit. Junior Phoebe Nelson notched her first career hat trick while adding a ground ball on the day. Senior Erin Donoghue returned to match Nelson with a three-goal performance. She also picked up a team-best three draw controls and three ground balls while causing two turnovers in a strong all-around performance.
 
Junior Deanna Balsama tallied three points on a goal and an assist and also notched a pair of draw controls. With her second, Balsama reached the 100-draw control milestone for her young career.
 
A pair of sophomores also continued their strong play to start the season. Chloe Reed notched a goal and an assist, while Tristan Usher added two points (1g, 1a) and picked up a ground ball.
 
Freshman Melanie Hutchinson tallied a team-high four draw controls, while seniors Sasha Silva and Melissa Capri each picked up a trio of ground balls to bolster the Mason defense.
 
Mason took its 4-0 lead just five minutes into the game after scores from Nelson, Usher, sophomore Morgan Gunn and Nelson again.
 
Radford came back with three-straight to cut the Mason lead to one (4-3) and tied it up at 5-5 with 11:23 to go in the opening period. A Nelson unassisted goal moved the Patriots back up one 6-5, and after Radford notched the equalizer, Mason ended the half with a pair of scores. That run included a free-position goal from Donoghue and score from Reed after a beautiful look from Balsama with 22 seconds remaining.
 
The Highlanders scored the first two goals of the second half to tie it up at 8-8 at the 24:26 mark. Back-to-back goals from Donoghue and senior Niki Baker moved Mason back up two (10-8) with 13:34 left. After Radford cut it to 10-9, Donoghue scored the game-winner for the Patriots with 4:09 left.
 
The Highlanders scored with 1:59 left and won the ensuing draw control. But the Patriots put together an excellent defensive stand and did not allow a shot over the final two minutes of action.
 
Mason wraps up its non-conference road swing Wednesday with a trip to Charlottesville. The Patriots' contest with No. 8 Virginia will begin at 5 p.m. and be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.