FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason women's lacrosse team allowed just six goals, matching a season-low, en route to its' sixth victory of the season over Delaware State, 17-6.
 
Leading the offense was the midfield pair of Shannon Tuozzo and Dahlia Trippel, who each netted a hat trick for the Patriots. Lauren Distad also had a strong day, winning 12 draw controls to power Mason to a 20-5 edge in the circle.
 
The Patriots (6-1) won the opening draw and scored just 36 seconds into the game to set the tone. Mason held the Hornets (1-4, 1-0) scoreless for the first nine minutes of the first quarter while scoring two more of their own to take a 3-0 lead. Delaware State got on the board at the 5:42 mark, but the Patriots responded with three more goals by three different players to take a 6-1 lead into the break.
 
DSU scored the opening two goals of the second to cut the lead to three, but that would be as close as it could get, as Mason once again responded with three-straight goals, all on free position opportunities, to push the lead to 9-3. The Hornets scored another with just under six minutes remaining in the half, but Mason had another three-goal response, capped by Brynn Blemont's first-career goal, to close the quarter and take a 12-4 advantage into the halftime break.
 
It was all Mason in the third quarter, as the hosts scored five straight over 14+ minutes to take a 17-4 lead. It was a well-balanced offense as five different Patriots netted a goal. The Hornets would tack on two more goals down the stretch of the fourth quarter to provide the final tally, 17-6.
 
PATRIOT POINTS

• Tuozzo also led the Mason defensive effort with a game-high six ground balls to go along with four draw controls
• Riley Ellis once again paced the offense with a game-high two assists
• In net, Meghan Deehan got the win after starting and making five saves in the first half while allowing just four goals
• The Patriots went a perfect 17-17 on clears, while limiting the Hornets to 14-20
• Mason took advantage of its' free position opportunities, scoring six on eight attempts

 
UP NEXT
The Patriots open up Atlantic 10 play with a tough opponent in UMass on Saturday, March 9 at George Mason Stadium. Opening draw with the Minutewomen is set for noon.