FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason women's lacrosse team dropped its' home opener to Longwood, 8-7, on Wednesday afternoon at George Mason Stadium.
 
Senior Meghan Deehan was just one save off of her career-high, making 14 saves in net for a .636 save percentage. On the other end of the field, sophomore Lauren Distad dished out a career-high three assists to help pace the offense.
 
The Lancers (1-0) scored the first goal of the game, but Mason responded, scoring the next two goals, both assisted by Distad to take a 2-1 lead after the first quarter.
 
After Longwood tied the game at two, freshman Kaitlyn Bestick scored her second goal of the contest to regain the lead. Less than a minute later, senior Chloe Reed converted her first of two free position goals on the day. However, the Lancers rattled off three-straight to close the half and lead 5-4 at the break.
 
The Patriots (0-2) got another free postion goal from Reed to stay within one with 8:38 left in the third, but Longwood responded once again to take their largest lead of the game at 8-5 a minute into the fourth quarter. 
 
Gunn and senior Shannon Tuozzo both scored to cut the lead to one, and Mason had the last possession, but Longwood was able to hold off the Patriots in the final minute to hold on to the lead.
 
PATRIOT POINTS

• Gunn, Bestick and Reed all scored two goals apiece for the Patriots
• Gunn also dished out one helper to match Distad's team-high three points
• Mason won the draw control battle, 12-7, led by three from Tuozzo, and the ground ball battle, 9-7
• The Patriots converted 2-3 free position attempts while holding the Lancers 0-5

 
UP NEXT
The Patriots will return to the field in a road match-up with the Pirates of East Carolina. Opening draw is set for noon.