FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason University women's soccer team drew to La Salle in their final home match of the season by the score of 1-1. The Patriots finish their season homestand with a final record of 1-4-3.

HOW THEY SCORED
GEORGE MASON
61' | Ashley Shimberg (1), assisted by Mia Casciani

LA SALLE
48' | Haley Gschrey (4), assisted by Ricshya Walker

It was a tense first half between the Patriots and Explorers, as both teams battled for possession of the ball on both sides of the field. There were only three shots in total in the half, with Mason taking two.

La Salle would strike first three minutes into the second half, after a cross into the box by forward Ricshya Walker was met by forward Haley Gschrey's header. From the center of the box, Gschrey directed the ball to the right side of the net, giving the Explorers a one-goal advantage.

The Patriots would ramp up the intensity after the goal, and they were rewarded for it. In the 61^st minute, freshman midfielder Mia Casciani threaded a perfectly-placed ball behind La Salle's defense that junior forward Ashley Shimberg could hit in stride. Shimberg's left-footed one-timer was sent from the left side of the box and curled towards the top right of the goal, giving the Explorer goalkeeper no chance to reach for it. Ashley Shimberg netted her first goal of the season, while Mia Casciani tallied her second assist. The Patriot pressure would be consistent after the goal, as the Patriots recorded a total of 10 shots in the second half compared to La Salle's six.

In the final minute of the game, the Explorers sent a ball deep into their offensive zone that found Haley Gschrey. Gschrey, looking for her second goal of the night, chipped the ball over Selamawit Caldart, who was rushing up the box. At the last moment, senior defender Kolbrun Eyjolfsdottir knocked the ball away from the open goal, preserving the tie for the Patriots.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Ashley Shimberg scored her first goal of the season
• Mia Casciani tallied her second assist of the season
• The Patriots outshot the Explorers 12 to seven
• Selamawit Caldart recorded three saves on the night and Kolbrun Eyjolfsdottir is credited with a team save
• La Salle played with 10 Explorers on the field in the last five minutes after Kelli McGroarty collected her second yellow card of the match

UP NEXT
The Patriots will travel to Richmond to face off against Virginia Commonwealth for their final game of the season on Sunday, October 23. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.