WASHINGTON, D.C. – Despite a dominant day in the draw circle, the George Mason women's lacrosse team fell for the first time in the 2024 season at American, 11-10.
 
Shannon Tuozzo led the Patriots (5-1) all over the field with four goals, five points, eight draw controls, three ground balls and two caused turnovers.
 
After the Eagles (3-3, 0-1) scored the game's first two goals in the opening five minutes, Mason scored three-straight over four and a half minutes, including a goal and an assist from Tuozzo, to take a 3-2 lead with 3:29 remaining in the quarter. American would even the score with a free position goal and the teams headed into the first break knotted at three.
 
American once again scored the opening two goals of the quarter in the first five minutes and once again, Mason responded with two goals to tie the game back at five. The Eagles were able to convert one more goal with five minutes to go to pull ahead 6-5. Five different Patriots scored the first five goals for Mason as it went into halftime down by one.
 
Riley Ellis scored her first goal in the Green and Gold to tie the game for the fourth time less than four minutes into the third quarter. American would pull ahead 7-6, but the Patriots once again had an answer in the form of a Tuozzo goal. However, over the next 15 minutes spanning the end of the third and beginning of the fourth, American went on a 4-1 run to lead by three (11-8) with nine minutes remaining in the game.
 
The Mason defense locked down from there and Tuozzo scored two more goals, but the Patriots were unable to complete the comeback in DC, ultimately falling by just one goal.
 
PATRIOT POINTS

• For the third straight game and fourth time this season, Peyton Farley tallied a career-high two goals. She also dished out a team-high two assists 
• The Patriots dominated the draw control circle, winning 16 of 20 opportunities. Tuozzo had a game-high eight and Lauren Distad chipped in five
• Chloe Reed, Dahlia Trippel, Kate Anders and Riley Ellis all tallied a goal each
• Mason converted 11-12 clears while limiting American to just 14-18

 
UP NEXT
The Patriots will open the March slate with a home game against Delaware St. on Monday, March 4. Opening draw with the Hornets is set for 2 p.m. from George Mason Stadium.