FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason University women's soccer team lost to East Carolina 2-1 in Thursday evening's game at George Mason Stadium.

HOW THEY SCORED
GEORGE MASON
57'  | Sarah DeWitt (PK)

EAST CAROLINA
62' | Carsen Parker, assisted by Holly Schlagel
90' | Carsen Parker, assisted by Sierra Lowery

Both teams were deadlocked after one half of play. East Carolina controlled 60% of the possession, but the Patriot defense and midfield were able to stop the Pirate advances by blocking shots, reading passes and smart tackling. 

Twelve minutes into the second half, Mason had the chance to take the lead when junior forward Ashley Shimberg was fouled by Pirate defender Peyton Godbey inside the penalty box. Graduate midfielder Sarah DeWitt was tasked to take the penalty shot. Her strike to the bottom left corner of the goal was out of the reach of the lunging Pirate goalkeeper, Maeve English, and the ball found itself inside the net, giving the Patriots a 1-0 lead in the 57^th minute.

Five minutes later, East Carolina would answer with a goal of their own. Pirate midfielder Holly Schlagel flew down the right wing and crossed the ball to the center of the penalty box, finding lone forward Carsen Parker. While goalkeeper Selamawit Caldart was chasing to get back to the center of the goal, Parker connected the cross with a header, burying the ball in the center net.

The next best chance Mason had to score came in the 80^th minute, where junior forward Shea Carroll curled a one-timer from the top of the penalty box. Pirate goalkeeper Maeve English made a diving save, pushing what would have been a goal just over the bar. The following corner kick would come up empty and the Pirates would push down the field.

In the 90^th minute, following a Pirate shot that was blocked by the Patriot defense, East Carolina set up for a corner kick. With a crowd of both Patriots and Pirates, Pirate defender Sierra Lowery sent the ball into the penalty box. After the ball bounced once off a Pirate player at the near post, Carsen Parker tapped a shot in from six yards out. The ball hit the inside of the crossbar and landed over the goal line, never disturbing the net. Parker's last-minute score gave East Carolina the go-ahead goal and ultimately delivered East Carolina the victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Mason scored their first penalty goal of the season on their first attempt.
• With the successful penalty, DeWitt now leads the team in goals with two on the season.
• Mason recorded five saves, four more than East Carolina.
• Carsen Parker scored East Carolina's first multi-goal game of the season and now leads the Pirates in goals.

UP NEXT
The Patriots will travel to New Jersey to face off against Princeton on Sunday, September 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m at Sherrerd Field Class of 1952 Stadium.