Pittsburgh, Pa. – The George Mason women's lacrosse team got off to a great start in today's match at Duquesne, but the Dukes defense held the Patriots in check for the final three periods in a 18-13 win against the Patriots this afternoon at Rooney Field.
 
After scoring six goals and leading, 6-4, after the first period, the Patriots (3-11, 2-5) scored only seven goals during the next three periods. Rachel O'Toole was inserted into the Duke's line-up in the second quarter and it paid off as she finished with 10 saves off 17 Patriots shots to finish and earn the win for Duquesne (5-9, 2-5).
 
Grad student Ioanna Mantzouratos led the Patriots in several categories, with two goals, three caused turnovers and seven draw controls.
 
The Patriots were led by Morgan Gunn with five points (2/3) and six Mason's players each scored two goals for the Patriots. Freshman Lauren Distad notched a season-high five draw controls. 
 
After Duquesne got on the board first, Mason responded with two unanswered goals by Morgan Gunn, assisted by Ioanna Mantzouratos and a free position goal by Shannon Tuozzo. Mason led after the first stanza, 6-4, on goals by five different Patriots, including two by Chloe Reed. 
 
The Dukes would take an 8-6 advantage into the intermission. Duquesne rattled off four consecutive goals in the second period and shut out the Patriots after inserting O'Toole into the net. The Patriots goalkeeper Meghan Deehan came up with two critical saves on free position shots to keep the Patriots close in the match.
 
Duquesne would stretch the lead to five, 13-8, but Mason scored the final two goals of the third period to go into the fourth with only a three-goal deficit. The Dukes would gain its biggest lead of the match, 17-10, with only 5:01 to play. The Patriots scored three of the final four goals of the match for the final 18-13 margin.

Duquesne was led by D. Rodriguez-Shaw with six goals. The Dukes got five goals from Alana Piano and Tina St. Clair.
 
The two teams played even in draw controls, with a 18-17 edge for the Dukes. Duquesne outshot Mason 38-27.
 
Mason will host La Salle on Saturday April 16 at Noon inside George Mason Stadium.