Fairfax, Va. -- The George Mason Patriots (1-5-2, 0-0) tied their match against the American University Eagles (0-5-3, 0-0) on Sunday, September 14. The score of 0-0 reflects the top-notch goalkeeping that was on display this game. The goal-minders from both sides were on the top of their games, with both keepers making fantastic saves throughout the match. This was Mason's last match to prepare for conference play, which starts on Saturday, September 20 against George Washington. The match will be played at George Mason Stadium. 

The match against American was back and forth for the full 90 minutes, with American threatening early with a breakaway. Mason keeper Libby Davy managed to deflect the shot, making a diving save to her left. The Patriots responded with stellar defense, blocking two consecutive shots in the box and defending a corner kick very well late in the first half. 

The second half saw a much more lively Mason offense, recorded ten scoring opportunities, starting at the 46 minute mark, with a shot-on-goal by Mason forward Ariana Reyes. Eight minutes later, forward Ariana Bliven's shot was blocked in the box off of a corner by Gianna Chrapek. In the 59th minute, graduate student Aaliyah Schinaman had two consecutive opportunities to score, but they were both saved by American keeper Addison Roemer. The Eagles then marched down the field and fired a shot, missing the net to the right. As the second half progressed, Schinaman had a great opportunity on a breakaway down the left side of the field. Her shot from 20-yards out was right on target, but it hit the crossbar. Defender Carly Passaro was there for the rebound, but her shot missed to the right of the goal. 

In the 83rd minute, Mason was threatening with a right-side corner kick. Defender Zoe Viduarre played it excellently, receiving the corner kick in the box and firing a header to the top-side of the goal, but the American keeper made a miraculous save, knocking the ball off the crossbar and out of bounds. As time was winding down, American threatened one last time, luckily Davy was there to stop the attack and keep the score at 0-0.

Patriots head coach Aaron Brunner expressed optimism about his team's response to a productive halftime meeting, stating that "I was very happy with how the team came back in the second half and created a whole host of scoring opportunities while limiting American's attacks on the defensive side... I feel like we're in a great position to learn from this match and apply those in our first conference matchup". 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

American goal-minder Addison Roemer had a busy afternoon, recording ten saves to Davy's three. The Green and Gold had the advantage in corner kicks, five to three. All of George Mason's corners came in the second half. GMU turned on the offense in the second half, logging 16 of their 17 shots, but could not find the back of the net. 

NEXT FOR MASON

George Mason will play its next match at home on Saturday, September 20 at 6 p.m. The Patriots are set to host conference opponent George Washington for its alumni recogniton game, where the 1985 NCAA Women's Soccer National Championship team will be honored for their achievement.