Box score (PDF)
 
FAIRFAX, Va. – Graduate student forward Marek Gonda and graduate student defender Luis Maestre each found the back of the net to lift the Patriots to a 2-1 victory over Massachusetts on Saturday afternoon at Rudd Field in Amherst, Mass.
 
George Mason (6-1-0, 1-0-0 A10) and UMass (4-2-2, 0-1-0) were scoreless after the first half in a defensive battle.  The Minutemen recorded the only three shots on frame in the first 45 minutes of play.
 
In the 60th minute, Maestre scored his first goal of the season with the Patriots first shot on goal of the match, lifting a shot over the diving UMass goalkeeper into the lower left corner of the net from inside the six to put the Patriots in front, 1-0.
 
George Mason extended the advantage off a set piece in the 74th minute. 
 
Maestre played a perfect corner kick to the far side of the box, where junior defender Will Carson headed the ball inside the six to Gonda, who converted with a header to increase the lead to 2-0.
 
Both of Gonda's goals this season have been game-winners.
 
The Minutemen scored their lone goal of the match in the 83rd minute off a corner kick.  After the corner kick hit the post, graduate student forward Johan Feilscher netted his first goal of the season to make it a 2-1 game.
 
Looking for the equalizer, UMass continued to apply the pressure late in the match.
 
With less than eight minutes to play, Patriots graduate student goalkeeper Jaume Salvado made a spectacular save on a shot from eight yards out from the right side of the goal to preserve the George Mason victory.
 
The Patriots won their Atlantic 10 opener for the fifth time and have a record of 5-5-2 in the first match of conference play since joining the league in 2013.
 
The Patriots have scored the first goal in six of their seven matches this season.
 
Salvado (6-1-0, 1-0-0 A10) made a season-high five saves in the match. 
 
HOW THEY SCORED
 
60' | Maestre chipped the ball over the goalkeeper with the left foot from inside the six into the lower right corner.
74' | Gonda converted a header from four yards out off a corner kick.
83' | Feilscher scored off a rebound with the right foot into the center of the net from seven yard out.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

The Minutemen outshot the Patriots, 14-8, including a 6-1 advantage in shots on goal.  UMass had six corner kicks and George Mason finished with four corner kicks in the match.
 
Maestre finished with three shots and one shot on goal, while Gonda (45 minutes) registered two shots with one shot on frame.
 
Graduate student defenders Jordi Navio Sanchez, graduate student midfielder Henry Wachsman, senior defender Javi Sanchez, sophomore midfielders James Eliuda and Javier Montava, Carson and Maestre each played 90 minutes in the match.
 
NEXT FOR MASON
 
The Patriots host William & Mary in a non-conference match on Tuesday, Sept. 24 with the opening kick scheduled for 7 p.m. at George Mason Stadium.