FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason women's lacrosse delivered a dominant performance at home on Saturday, overwhelming La Salle with an 18-8 victory at George Mason Stadium. The Patriots road an offensive explosion and stifling defense to cap off their final home game of the regular season in style.
The graduating class of seniors Lauren Distad and Maddie Charland, and graduate student Emma Telatovich, were honored in a pregame ceremony. Then, in the fourth quarter with her seventh draw control of the game, Distad broke the program record for single-season draw controls. She also holds the program record for draw controls in a career.
The opening quarter saw fireworks from both sides, as the teams combined for eight goals. George Mason wasted no time jumping out to a 4-0 lead behind goals from Kate Anders, Lauren Distad, and Riley Ellis. The Patriots looked sharp and aggressive, capitalizing on early La Salle penalties. However, La Salle clawed back into the game with a four-goal run of their own, tying it 4-4 at the end of the first.
George Mason responded emphatically in the second. The Patriots shut out La Salle in the frame and rattled off five unanswered goals. Catherine Pollard's tally at 12:31 started the run, followed by another from Anders and a key strike by Kaitlyn Bestick, who continued to be a force all day. Riley Ellis chipped in two goals of her own during this stretch, as George Mason's offense hit its rhythm and the defense clamped down, allowing just two shots on goal in the period. At halftime, the Patriots held a commanding 9-4 lead.
The third quarter was more balanced, but the Patriots maintained control. Despite two goals from La Salle, George Mason answered back with tallies from Camryn Myers and another clutch finish from K. Bestick in the final seconds of the quarter. The Patriots' grit and game management kept them ahead 11-6 heading into the fourth.
George Mason left no doubt in the final 15 minutes, exploding for seven goals while allowing only two. Anders opened the quarter with her fifth goal of the game, capping a sensational performance. K. Bestick added two more to finish with four goals, while Catherine Pollard notched two of her own to complete her hat trick. Julia Pollard added the exclamation point in the final minute with her first goal of her career. The Patriots dominated draw controls and capitalized on La Salle's turnovers, closing the game with a powerful 18-8 win.
Behind a balanced scoring effort—Anders (5 goals, 1 assist), Bestick (4 goals), Pollard (3 goals, 1 assist), and Ellis (3 goals, 1 assist)—and a stellar outing in goal from Regan Bestick (9 saves), the Patriots outshot La Salle 39-25 and dominated ground balls 23-16.
PATRIOT POINTS
UP NEXT
The Patriots head north to UMass to take on the Minutewomen next Saturday, April 26, for their season finale. First draw is set for noon and a live stream will be available on ESPN+.
