FAIRFAX, Va. – Hoping to end the season on a positive note, the Tigers knew that they had a chance to also play the role of spoiler in their season finale against George Mason University on Saturday afternoon. However, the Patriots scored four goals in the second half to keep their CAA Tournament hopes alive with a 4-0 victory over the Tigers at George Mason Stadium.
But, the Patriots, who improved to 14-4-2 overall and 6-3-2 in the CAA, were eliminated from CAA Tournament consideration after James Madison defeated Virginia Commonwealth by a 4-0 margin on Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers end the season with a 7-11-2 overall record and a 3-7-1 mark in the CAA.
After a scoreless first half, the Patriots exploded for four goals in an eight-minute span early in the second half to earn the victory. In the 55th minute, senior forward Theresa DeLucca scored on a shot to the right post after a pass from junior midfielder Omolyn Davis for her seventh goal of the season.
Less than two minutes later, the Patriots upped their advantage to 2-0. After Davis took two shots, including one which was stopped by sophomore goalkeeper Jocelyn Papciak, senior Patti Benner tallied her second goal of the season when she scored on the rebound of Davis' second attempt.
With 29:37 remaining, DeLucca scored her second goal of the game when she took a crossing pass from senior forward Annie Lebherz and converted a shot to the low right side of the goal.
The Patriots added to their lead at the 62:18 mark when senior midfielder Sasha Vido took a shot that hit the right post and went into the goal. Lebherz was credited with the assist on the play.
From there, the Patriot defense held Towson scoreless en route to posting its 11th shutout of the season.
Papciak made seven saves in the loss for the Tigers, who were outshot by an 18-14 margin.
Freshman goalkeeper Katie Frey made six saves in the win for George Mason, which ended the regular season with an eight-game unbeaten streak.
College Women's Soccer: George Mason University 4, Towson University 0
Towson (7-11-2, 3-7-1) 0-0 / 0
George Mason (14-4-2, 6-3-2) 0-4 / 4
Goals: GMU – Theresa DeLucca 2 (54:43, 60:23), Patti Benner 1 (56:37), Sasha Vido 1 (62:18). Assists: GMU – Omolyn Davis 2, Annie Lebherz 2. Saves: TOW – Jocelyn Papciak 7 (90:00, 4 goals allowed); GMU – Katie Frey 6 (90:00, 0 goals allowed), TEAM 1. Shots: TOW – 14; GMU – 18. Corner Kicks: TOW – 6; GMU – 4. Attendance: n/a.
TIGER TIDBITS: The loss marked the final game for Tiger seniors Brittany Hadaway, Erica Marshall, Danielle Rosanova, Phyllicia Rosselli, Sarah Thomas, Ashley Ventura and Kaitlyn Zamroz … Marshall ends her career ranked fourth in school history with 23 goals … She also posted 55 points in her career, tied for fourth in school history … Marshall also finishes the season as the Tigers' leading scorer with 9 goals and 3 assists … Her 21 points this year ranks fourth on the school's single-season list … Meanwhile, Zamroz finishes her career as the 10th-leading scorer in school history with 30 points … She also had 12 goals in her career, which ranked 10th in school history … The Tigers were held without a goal for the third straight game … The Patriots ended the regular season with a 6-0-2 record in their last eight games … They also tied the CAA record for the best single-season improvement by winning nine more games than last year … The 14 wins are the most for George Mason since the 1997 season … Northeastern won the regular season title after defeating Hofstra on Saturday … The Pride will be the second seed in the CAA Tournament while UNC Wilmington and James Madison earned the other berths in the four-team field.
