Box Score (PDF)

FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason University women's lacrosse senior Christina Romano tallied a career-best three goals to lead the Patriots on Friday night in a 19-9 setback at VCU.
 
Romano's hat trick led the Patriots, who held advantages in draw controls (16-14) and turnovers (+1).
 
But VCU had a +16 edge in shots (42-26) and picked up 16 ground balls to Mason's 10.
 
Romano added three draw controls and a caused turnover to pace the Green & Gold.
 
Junior Deanna Balsama also notched three goals and went a perfect 3-for-3 on free position attempts.
 
Senior Erin Donoghue added a team-best five draw controls to go along with a goal and two ground balls, while sophomore Chloe Reed chipped in a goal and a ground ball.
 
The Rams jumped out to a 5-0 lead, but the Patriots rallied back with three-straight scores, including goals from Balsama, sophomore Tristan Usher and Romano.
 
But from there, the Rams rattled off the final six goals of the half to take an 11-3 edge at the break.
 
Balsama scored to push Mason within seven (11-4) at the 27:44 mark of the second half, but that's as close as the Patriots would get for the remainder of the game.
 
Mason wraps up the regular season on Sunday at noon at No. 21 Richmond.