Box score (PDF)
 
FAIRFAX, Va. – Graduate student forward Noah Raphael scored his first goal in a Mason uniform, but the Patriots fell to Penn State, 3-1, in the home opener on Monday night at George Mason Stadium.
 
Mason (0-3-0) fell behind Penn State (2-1-1) in the fifth minute of play.
 
Nittany Lions junior forward Peter Mangione scored his third goal of the season on a penalty kick to put Penn State in front, 1-0.
 
The Nittany Lions struck again five minutes later when Mangione fed the ball to senior forward Liam Butts, who netted his second goal of the season to increase the advantage to 2-0.
 
In the 72nd minute, Mason senior goalkeeper Jake Langley made a spectacular save on Penn State graduate student midfielder Seth Kuhn on a penalty kick.
 
In the 79th minute of play, Raphael collected a rebound and scored into the upper corner to make it a one-goal game, 2-1.
 
Penn State added an insurance goal in the 87th minute when senior midfielder Andrew Privett scored his first goal of the season to pad the lead to 3-1.  Mangione and Kuhn picked up the assists on the play.
 
Langley (0-3-0) made five saves for the Patriots, while Penn State senior goalkeeper Kris Shakes made four saves in the match.
 
HOW THEY SCORED
 
5' | Mangione scored on a penalty kick into the upper left corner.
10' | Butts drove past defenders and scored into the right corner of the net.
79' | Raphael collected a rebound and scored into the upper corner from six yards out.
87' | Privett scored into the lower corner from just outside the six.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

The Nittany Lions outshot the Patriots, 20-10, including a 9-5 edge in shots on goal.  Penn State finished with four corner kicks, while Mason had three corner kicks in the match.
 
Butts led all players with six shots and three shots on goal.  Mason senior forward Kent Harrison and junior midfield Louis Lehr each finished with two shots.
 
Mason senior defender Jonathan Fawole, sophomore forward Balint Kocso, freshman defender Will Carson and Lehr each played 90 minutes.
 
NEXT FOR MASON
 
The Patriots continue their three game homestand when they host Radford on Saturday, Sept. 10, with the opening kick scheduled for 7 p.m. at George Mason Stadium.