FAIRFAX, Va. — George Mason University fell to the University of Rhode Island 13-5 on Saturday at George Mason Stadium.
Before the game, the Patriots honored their 11 seniors & grad students pregame for senior day.
The match commenced with Rhode Island securing the initial draw control and quickly gaining momentum with a goal. The Patriots responded with a free position shot at 12:08, leveling the score. Rhode Island regained control with two additional goals. George Mason narrowed the deficit to 5-3 by the end of the first quarter.
Regan Bestick made several key saves for the Patriots during the second quarter. Despite these efforts, the Green & Gold faced significant pressure as the Rams capitalized on multiple opportunities, including a player-up goal. The quarter concluded with the Patriots trailing 10-3.
In the third quarter, George Mason found a crucial momentum shift with a goal at 3:29. Bestick was instrumental in keeping Rhode Island scoreless in the period with multiple key saves. Despite several offensive attempts, the Patriots struggled to capitalize further, resulting in a period score of 1-0 in favor of George Mason. The quarter ended with the Rams leading 10-4 overall.
In the fourth quarter, the Patriots reduced the deficit with a player-up goal at the 5:26 mark. Despite this effort, Rhode Island maintained its lead with another goal. The Green & Gold continued to apply pressure but Rhode Island's defense held strong. The game concluded with the Rams securing a 13-5 victory over George Mason.
PATRIOT POINTS
UP NEXT
In their final game of the season, the Patriots are set to face VCU on Saturday, April 25. The matchup will take place at 1 p.m. in Richmond, Virginia.
SENIOR RECOGNITIONS
#1 Maddie Charland
Favorite Memory: I will remember many moments like running little war or our pregame dance parties but I will mostly remember spending every day with my best friends
Want to Thank: I would like to thank my friends, family, coaches , and most importantly my amazing teammates that I was blessed to spend every moment of my last four years with
#2 Kaitlyn Bestick
Favorite Memory: I will remember a lot of the hard conditioning, big wins, and long hours in the field house, but I will remember most the moments with my teammates. Specifically I will always remember the locker room dance parties and pre-practice moments where everyone is talking in the locker room!
Want to Thank: I would like to thank my coaches and all of the support staff (athletic and academic) that have had a hand in my time at George Mason. More specifically, I would like to thank my roommates (Zu, Regan, Maddie and Riley) for their constant love and support, and for truly showing me what it means to be family. I will miss you all more than I could ever put into words and can't wait to be along for the ride as we all succeed in our different paths. I would also like to thank my family. Colby, thank you for learning lacrosse and putting up with us calling you a jinx for the past four years. Regan, I am beyond lucky to have had this extra time as your teammate. Thank you for always pushing me to be my best (even when we are at each other's throats). I can't wait to see how much more you grow as a professional and as a person in vet school. Finally I would like to thank my parents for showing me what it looks like to show up unconditionally. Thank you for being at every game, scrimmage, and tailgate willing to lend a hug or a listening ear. I would truly not be an ounce of the player or person I am today without your commitment to our success. I love you both so much and will be lucky to be half the parents you are one day.
#3 Brynn Belmont
Favorite Memory: I will remember the amazing friendships that I have made while being here and all the dance parties before games.
Want to Thank: I would like to thank my amazing mom for helping me get to where I am today, the endless support and phone calls, and being the best role model I could ever have. I would also like to thank Kara and Nate for allowing me to have this opportunity!
#6 Hailey Zutic
Favorite Memory: I will remember the lifelong friendships I've made and hanging out on the couch doing playtime.
Want to Thank: First, I would like to thank my parents for always supporting me and giving me guidance. This would not have been possible without you.
Thank you to my coaches, athletic trainer and support staff.
I also want to thank Papa John and Lynda for taking me on lacrosse trips my whole youth. You changed the trajectory of my life.
Finally, thank you to my teammates who make coming to practice everyday fun but especially thank you to my roommates who mean everything to me.
#9 Gabby Rizzio
Favorite Memory: I will always remember freshmen year movie nights packing our whole class into one dorm room.
Want to Thank: I would like to thank my athletic trainers and strength and conditioning coaches for helping me throughout my injury and most importantly my family for being my biggest support system.
#14 Emily Mowbray
Favorite Memory: I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to play lacrosse again with such an amazing group of people and learning what it means to be a Mason lacrosse player. And I will always remember scoring my first goal after being cleared this year. The team made it truly one of the most special moments of my life and I will never forget it!
Want to Thank: I want to thank my parents and brother for always being my biggest supporters and spending the past 17 years driving to games, tournaments, cheering on the sidelines, and investing so much time into my lacrosse career. I couldn't have made it this far without them! I also want to thank Kara, Nate, Aleasha, Eric, and my amazing teammates for supporting me through my recovery and making this last year so special.
#16 Kate Anders
Favorite Memory: I will remember the fun I had with my teammates from the last four years and the relationships I've made within Mason Athletics.
Want to Thank: I'd like to thank my parents for letting me follow my dreams of playing lacrosse on the east coast, Kara and Nate for believing and trusting in me through the process of becoming the athlete I am, and my teammates, especially my senior class, for getting me through the hardships of lacrosse and life the last four years.
#19 Riley Ellis
Favorite Memory: I will remember laughing with my roommates until my cheeks hurt the most.
Want to Thank: I want to thank my parents for their commitment to attending so many games and supporting me through my lacrosse career. I would like to thank my roommates for allowing me to be myself and for making me laugh harder than I ever thought I could.
#20 Regan Bestick
Favorite Memory: The relationships I've made and the amazing people I've gotten to play with!
Want to Thank: I'd like to first thank my family and boyfriend, who have continued to support me throughout every endeavor, even beyond lacrosse. Special shout out to my amazing parents, Mason lacrosse's biggest fans and supporters, who have been at every game throughout our 4 years and organized every tailgate for the past 2. Thank you for showing up for all 3 of us, no matter the circumstance, and for always being my #1 fans. Thank you to my brother, who's short but kind words after games always helped brighten my mood. To my grandparents, who no matter what, always supported us with kindness and positivity. Thank you to my teammates, past and present, who made showing up to practice everyday worth it. Thank you to my amazing roommates, Zu, Riley, and Maddie, for being the best gift Mason lacrosse has ever given me. Thank you to my coaches, support staff, and academic staff for allowing me the greatest pathway to success, both on the field and off, throughout my time here. Lastly, thank you to my sister, Kaitlyn, for bringing me to Mason and for being my best friend no matter the instance. I can't wait to see the amazing things you do as a lawyer and know that our paths apart will only bring us closer together.
#26 Maddie Holloway
Favorite Memory: The connections I made with my teammates and our pre-game locker room dances
Want to Thank: I would like to thank my friends, family, and teammates for sticking by my side throughout my career and being my number 1
#27 Peyton Farley
Favorite Memory: The friendships and the growth and resilience I've found here
Want to Thank: My family, coaches/support staff, teammates, surgeons, and physical therapists
