WHEN: Friday, 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Cary Street Field - Richmond, Va.
RECORDS: Mason (1-12, 0-6), VCU (6-8, 2-4)
LAST MEETING: VCU def. Mason, 22-12, on April 1, 2021
LIVE VIDEO: Click here
LIVE STATS: Click here

FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason University women's lacrosse team begins its season-culminating road swing with a Friday night contest at VCU.

First draw between the Patriots and Rams is set for 6:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, with live stats available via StatBroadcast.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Patriots trailed No. 21 Richmond by just two (5-3) at halftime, but the Spiders pulled away in the second half to take an 18-9 victory on Sunday inside George Mason Stadium. The Spiders took advantage of an 18-7 edge in draw controls for the game to control possession, notching a 44-22 edge in shots. Mason picked up 17 ground balls and forced 11 Richmond turnovers, but it wasn't quite enough as the nationally-ranked Spiders were able to come away with the victory.
 
DONOHUE SHINES IN CAGE
Freshman goalkeeper Mason Donohue tallied a career-best 17 saves to lead the Patriots Sunday. It marked the keeper's second contest this season with 10+ stops in goal. Donohue notched an impressive .515 save percentage against the league's No. 2 scoring attack. What's more, with Mason battling yellow card trouble, eight of the 16 goals allowed by Donohue came on extra man opportunities for the Spiders.
 
BALSAMA COMING ON STRONG
Junior attack Deanna Balsama has posted at least three points in three of the past four contests, including a 4-point performance (2g, 2a) vs. George Washington on April 9. She led the Patriots with three goals on Sunday vs. the Spiders.
 
HISTORY vs. VCU
Mason and VCU will meet for the sixth time on Thursday. The Patriots hold a 3-2 advantage in the all-time series. The teams first met in 2016, with Mason grabbing a 16-5 win. In the most recent matchup, VCU prevailed 22-12 earlier this season on April 1 in Fairfax. Senior Niki Baker led Mason with a career-best five points on a goal and a personal-best four assists to lead the Patriot charge.
 
A LOOK AT THE RAMS (6-8, 2-4 A-10)
The Rams are 6-8 to begin the season and 2-4 to start A-10 play. Juliana George leads VCU with 49 points (28g, 21a) on the year, while Kerian Mctavish has chipped in 33 goals and 13 assists. In the cage, Gillian Belfiore has posted a 12.07 goals against average and .492 save percentage.
 
NEXT UP
Mason wraps up the regular season Sunday with a 12 p.m. contest at No. 21 Richmond.