GEORGE MASON (0-9-0, 0-1-0) vs. VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH (2-4-2, 1-0-0)
WHEN: Sunday, September 17, @ 3 p.m.
WHERE: Fairfax, Va. | George Mason Stadium
WATCH: ESPN+ or International Stream
LIVE STATS: Click Here
GAME PROGRAM: Click Here
HISTORY: Mason leads the all-time series 15-10-7 | Last played each other on Oct. 23, 2022, when the Patriots tied the Rams 3-3 at VCU.

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FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason women's soccer team (0-9-0, 0-1-0) will host Virginia Commonwealth (2-4-2, 1-0-0) for their Atlantic 10 Conference home opener at George Mason Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 17, at 3 p.m.

Sunday's game will also feature Pups on the Pitch, where fans will be able to receive a free dog toy. A halftime dog show will also take place for all dogs that are dressed in Mason gear.

TICKETING INFORMATION
Regular season home games for George Mason Women's Soccer will require a ticket for entry. They are available for purchase online in advance, calling the Athletic Ticket Office at 703-993-3270, or by purchasing at the George Mason Stadium Gate. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth 12 and under. Discounted rates are available for groups of 10 or more as well as George Mason faculty and staff. More information on Women's Soccer tickets can be found here.

LAST TIME OUT
Mason traveled to the Bronx to face off against Fordham this past Thursday. The Patriots scored their first goals of the season and held a 2-0 lead in the second half. Despite the strong start, the Patriots fell to the Rams 2-4.

In the 33^rd minute, Milan Pierre-Jerome intercepted an errant Fordham pass. After one touch, the senior wound up for a booming kick from over 40 yards out. Fordham's goalkeeper initially deflected it, but she did not push it out of the goal frame, causing the ball to bounce over the goal line. This was Pierre-Jerome's first goal as a Patriot.

The Patriots would take a 1-0 lead into the half.

Mason extended their lead in the 55^th minute with another long shot goal, this time by sophomore Rachel Eberly. Assisted by Jazmine Bennett, Eberly took two small touches and let the ball fly from over 30 yards out. The ball sailed over the outstretched arms of the diving Fordham keeper and hit the back of the net before it hit the ground. This was Eberly's second career goal and first goal since Aug. 25, 2022.

The Patriots held a 2-0 lead for only one minute. Fordham would go on to score four unanswered goals in the span of 20 minutes.

SCOUTING VCU
The Rams finished their tough non-conference schedule with a 1-4-2 record, picking up their only win at UNC Wilmington with a 5-0 shutout. They lost to Liberty, Old Dominion, #12 Virginia and #2 Stanford. The Rams were able to score a goal on both nationally-ranked teams.

VCU also recorded back-to-back ties against William & Mary and Maryland with 1-1 and 0-0 scores, respectively.

The Rams opened A-10 play last Thursday as well, hosting cross-town rival Richmond. Junior forward Paige Hoeger scored the game's only goal in the 77^th minute, giving VCU the 1-0 victory over the Spiders. It was also Coach Lindsey Martin's 100th career victory as the VCU head coach.

Redshirt senior midfielder Anna Bagley and senior Milica Bulatovic share the team lead with goals, as they both have two on the season. Bagley scored a goal in back-to-back games to start the season against Liberty and UNCW, while Bulatovic scored both of her goals in the UNCW game.

Both Bagley and Bulatovic also lead the team in assists. Bagley has three while Bulatovic has one.

Four other Rams have one goal this season. They are forwards Jordan Faveri, Kendyl Sarver, midfielder Kanna Matsuhisa and defender Jordan Pieklo.

Junior Allison Karpovich has seen the most action in goal for VCU. The Virginia Beach native has recorded one shutout and has made 20 saves. Karpovich has a goals against average of 1.60 over eight games, which is eighth best in the A-10.

HISTORY WITH THE RAMS
Mason has a deep history with their in-state rival VCU. The two schools have faced each other a total of 32 times, and Mason holds a firm edge on the series, going 15-10-7. The first game between the two dates back to September 16, 1996, when the Patriots won 8-1, the largest margin of victory between the two schools.

In their last meeting, Sophie Davidson scored two goals and Ashley Shimberg scored one en route to a 3-3 draw in the final game of the 2022 season. Returning Rams Kanna Matsuhisa, Aisha Maughan and Anna Bagley also scored goals in the game.

UP NEXT
The Patriots will travel to Richmond this Thursday, Sept. 21, where they will face the Spiders at President's Field at River Road. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. and can be watched on ESPN+.