RICHMOND, Va. – The George Mason women's soccer team (1-10-0, 1-2-0 A-10) secured their first win of the season by shutting out the Richmond Spiders (2-6-3, 0-3-0 A-10) by the score of 1-0 at President's Field at River Road. The Patriots also notched their first Atlantic 10 Conference win of the season.
HOW THEY SCORED
GEORGE MASON
24' |
Ashley Shimberg (1), assisted by
Michi Hooks (1) &
Rachel Eberly (1)
The action between the Patriots and Spiders picked up in the 20
th minute, when Richmond was awarded a free kick inside their attacking zone. The ball was sent into the box where Mason goalkeeper
Ginny Fronk dove and pushed the ball away from goal. Since Fronk was on the ground and out of position, a Spider attacker tried to clean up the rebound with a one-timer from about 10 yards out. However, senior defender
Eman Karimi stood her ground on the goal line and prevented the ball from crossing the line with her foot. The Patriots were ultimately able to clear the ball out of danger.
In the 24
th minute, the Patriots found the back of the net, thanks to quick passing by
Rachel Eberly and
Michi Hooks and the finishing touch by
Ashley Shimberg. Richmond cleared the ball out of their penalty box, where
Rachel Eberly was able to recollect the ball and pass it to
Michi Hooks on the right wing. Hooks then took one dribble and crossed the ball from the top corner of the penalty box to the left far post, where an unmarked Ashely Shimberg was there to take the left-footed one-timer right on the corner of the six-yard box. The Richmond goalkeeper was moving to her right while the ball zipped past her left leg and into the back of the net.
It was
Ashley Shimberg's first goal of the season and
Rachel Eberly's first assist of the season.
Michi Hooks recorded her first career assist as well.
The Patriots took the 1-0 lead into the half and kept the pressure up for the remainder of the game. In the 62
nd minute,
Shea Carroll had a chance to extend the lead when she dribbled past the rushing Spider goalkeeper at the 18-yard box, but her shot went just left of the goal post.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- This snaps a 25-game winless streak for the Patriots. This is Mason's first win since Aug. 25, 2022, when they won 3-1 over Howard in their home opener.
- This is Mason's first Atlantic 10 Conference win since Oct. 21, 2021, when they won 3-2 over Rhode Island in their final home game of the season.
- It is also the first shutout victory since Oct. 10, 2021, when they won 2-0 over Duquesne in Fairfax.
- It is also the first shutout win on the road for the Patriots since Oct. 13, 2019, when they won 1-0 at Davidson in overtime.
- Ginny Fronk recorded her first career shutout. She recorded six saves on the afternoon.
- Michi Hooks secured her first career assist.
- Ashley Shimberg scored her third Patriot goal.
- Rachel Eberly recorded her second career assist.
- Sophomore Sydney Dacus made her season debut this afternoon. This was her first time seeing action on the field since Aug. 28, 2022, after sustaining an injury against Appalachian State.
UP NEXT
The Patriots will stay on the road and play their Sunday game in Philadelphia, as they will face Saint Joseph's at Sweeney Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. and can be watched on ESPN+.
