Box score (PDF)
FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason graduate student
Luis Maestre scored his fourth goal of the season late in the second half, but the Patriots fell to VCU, 2-1, on Saturday on senior night at George Mason Stadium.
Mason (4-6-3, 2-4-1 A-10) and VCU (4-5-5, 4-1-2 A-10) played a scoreless first half.
The Rams took the lead with a pair of goals in a span of three minutes early in the second half.
In the 59th minute, the Patriots were called for a foul inside the penalty area. VCU sophomore defender Gerardo Castillo converted with a shot into the lower right corner to put the Rams in front, 1-0.
Less than two minutes later in the 62nd minute, junior midfielder Damian Gallegos scored his third goal of the season from 20 yards out on the left side of the box to extend the lead to 2-0. Junior midfielder William Hitchcock picked up the assist.
The Patriots pulled within a goal in the 76th minute when Maestre netted his fourth goal of the season with a header over the goalkeeper from just outside the six.
Mason junior goalkeeper
Jaume Salvado (4-6-3, 2-4-1 A-10) made two saves. VCU junior goalkeeper John Ermini made three saves, all in the first half.
Graduate students
Jake Langley and
Luis Maestre, along with seniors
Zach Golden,
Ishmail Kamara,
Noah McGrath,
Cameron Revels and
Henry Wachsman were recognized prior to the match.
HOW THEY SCORED
59' | Castillo converted a penalty kick into the lower right corner.
62' | Gallegos scored from 20 yards out into the lower right corner.
76' | Maestre scored with header from seven yards out.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
The Patriots outshot the Rams, 17-8, while each team finished with four shots on goal. Mason had nine corner kicks and VCU didn't have a corner kick in the match.
Mason sophomore midfielder
Asparuh Slavov took three shots and led the Patriots with two shots on goal. Freshman forward
James Eliuda and Maestre each finished with three shots and one shot on goal
Senior midfielder
Henry Wachsman, senior defender
Noah McGrath, junior defender Javi Sanchez, sophomore defender
Will Carson, sophomore midfielder
Erick Kilosho, Eliuda, Maestre and Slavov each played 90 minutes in the match.
NEXT FOR MASON
The Patriots are on the road to face Delaware on Tuesday with the opening kick scheduled for 7 p.m. at Grant Stadium in Newark, Del.
