FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason women's soccer team recognized senior Milan Pierre-Jerome and assistant coach Alyssa Whitehead before Thursday evening's game for their participation in this summer's FIFA Women's World Cup. They were given flowers, flags representing Haiti (for Milan) and Jamaica (for Coach Alyssa) and a standing ovation. Unfortunately, the Patriots dropped their season opener to Old Dominion by the score of 3-0.

HOW THEY SCORED
ODU
17' | Ece Turkoglu (1), assisted by Ashlynn Kulha (1) & Madison Micheletti (1)
18' | Anna Tørsløv (1), assisted by Rhea Kijowski (1)
76' | Thalia Morisi (1), assisted by Ece Turkoglu (1) & Riley Mullen (1)

A total of nine Mason freshmen made their collegiate debuts in Thursday evening's game. Midfielders Madyson Taylor, Maria Franjicic, Molly Starner and forward Kiyomi McCausland, got the nod to start for the Green and Gold, while five more rookies came off the bench and made their collegiate debut. Defenders Ariana Bliven, Carly Passaro, Mia Martin, forward Olivia Bradley and goalkeeper Ginny Fronk got to see playing time.

Starner led the team in shots on the night. Of her two shots, one was on goal in the second half, but the Old Dominion keeper saved it. Forward Shea Carroll shot Mason's second shot on goal, but it was also blocked.

Old Dominion scored the first goal of the game in the 17^th minute. After the ODU offense passed the ball around the outside edge of the box, Ece Turkoglu redirected a pass intended for her to the low right corner of the goal. One minute later, in the 18^th minute, ODU's Anna Tørsløv swung the ball down the left wing and landed in the same bottom right corner of the goal. After the flurry of Monarch goals, the Patriots were down 2-0 going into the second half.

The third goal of the night came in the 76^th minute. After the ball was lifted into the box, the initial ODU header was saved by Ginny Fronk. However, the ball was still loose inside the six-yard box, and Thalia Morisi rebounded the shot and slotted it in the net.

UP NEXT
After Thursday's home opener, the Patriots will head to Boone, N.C. to face Appalachian State in their first away match on Sunday, Aug. 20. The afternoon game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. and can be watched on ESPN+.