Two Second-Half Goals Give George Mason a Win over Women's Soccer

Sunday, October 8

Vidas Field

2:00

Drexel University

4-8-1, 1-5-0

George Mason

6-7-1, 3-3-0

George Mason

DREXEL

Williams nearly found the net for Drexel early in the match

Two Second-Half Goals Give George Mason a Win over Women's Soccer

10/8/2006 5:03:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Philadelphia, Pa. - The Patriots (6-7-1, 3-3-1 CAA) used solid passing and patience on offense to score two second-half goals and hold on for a 2-0 victory over Drexel (4-8-1, 1-5 CAA). Both teams took two shots on goal, but George Mason's were from a combined 10 yards out which produced scoring opportunities good enough to edge the Dragons in a tight match.

While George Mason's deliberate offense seemed to dominate posession in the first half, Drexel nearly took atvantage on a pair of quick-hitters in the penalty box. In the 11th minute #Erin Williams# charged in to the box to get a touch on a bouncing ball served by #Christine Murta#. Williams chipped the ball up and it nearly cleared the goalie for an easy put-away, but the Patriots' keeper Kasey Davenport timed her jump to grab the ball at its pinnacle and break up the play.

In the 23rd minute freshman #Heatherrae Steadman# sent a free kick from about 30 yards out into the right side of the penalty box. Two Dragons went up for the header along with Davenport, the goalie. Davenport appeared to lose her balance after the mid-air collision, but she recovered in time to grab the ball and prevent an easy score.

Drexel and George Mason both took two shots in the first period. The Patriots earned four corner kicks but the Dragons defense did well to spoil each threat and keep the match at a scoreless draw after the first 45 minutes.

#Sherrianne Steadman# gave Drexel its first scoring opportunity of the second period just nine minutes into the stanza. On a play much like Williams' in the first half, Steadman took a pass on the right side of the box and tried to volley it over the keeper. Davenport was once again equal to the challenge, tipping the ball away to negate the threat.

The Patriots broke through for the first score of the match in the 58th minute. L.J. Williams fed the ball to Leslie Cabe on the right side of the penalty box. Cabe threaded the ball back in to Williams who continued her run and beat Drexel keeper #Kaitlin Bond# from about five yards out.

George Mason picked up an insurance goal on a similar play. This time Kelly Keelan made the centering pass and Rachel Wiggins collected it on the left side of the goal, then kicked it back to the right side for the score that gave George Mason a 2-0 lead.

The Dragons out-cornered the Patriots 2-0 in the second half, but failed to capitalize on either set piece. Davenport made two saves to preserve her shutout.

Drexel travels south to play the CAA's southernmost members, Georgia State and UNC Wilmington, next weekend.

DU 0 0 - 0

GMU 0 2 - 2

Goal Summary:

57:35 GMU L.J. Williams (Leslie Cabe)

77:33 GMU Rachel Wiggins (Kelly Keelan)

Shots: DU 4, GMU 7

Corners: DU 2, GMU 4

Saves: Kaitlin Bond (DU) 0, Kasey Davenport (GMU) 2

Cards: Sarah Fack (GMU) Yellow, 21:30; Laura Salichs (GMU) Yellow, 23:52; Nilani Durante (GMU) Yellow, 36:55; Leslie Cabe (GMU) Yellow, 59:58