TOWSON, Md. – Senior forward Ernesto Marquez scored a goal and added two assists as George Mason University (5-5-1, 1-3-1) overcame a 1-0 defict to snap a five-game winless streak with a 3-2 Colonial Athletic Association victory over the Tigers (7-3-1, 1-3-1) at the Towson Center Soccer Complex on Wednesday afternoon.
It was the Patriots' first victory since a 2-1 win over Richmond on September 18.
The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute when senior midfielder Joe O'Rourke scored his third goal of the season on a shot from 25 yards out.
But, the Patriots responded and scored three straight goals in an 18-minute span to take a 3-1 advantage with 11:19 remaining in regulation. Marquez tied the game in the 61st minute off an assist from freshman Alex Herrera for his fourth goal of the season.
Then, junior defender Mike Foss gave the Patriots a 2-1 lead less than eight minutes later when he scored on a header shot off a Marquez assist. It was Foss' first goal of the season.
The Patriots upped their lead to 3-1 with 11:19 left when Marquez found freshman forward Hugh Roberts with a pass on the right side. Roberts took a shot past freshman goalkeeper Angelo Viteritti that went into the near side of the goal, giving George Mason a two-goal advantage. It was Roberts' first career goal.
But, the Tigers answered less than two minutes later to narrow the margin to 3-2 when senior midfielder Marco Mangione scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season off assists from O'Rourke and senior defender Scott Horta.
However, the Patriot defense held Towson without a shot for the final nine minutes to earn the victory.
Freshmen goalkeepers Sean Cote and Mark Bixler combined to make two saves for the Patriots, who outshot Towson by a 10-9 margin. Bixler made two saves in the first half before being replaced by Cote, who did not record a save.
Viteritti made one save for the Tigers, who dropped their second straight one-goal game.
The Tigers will travel to Old Dominion on Saturday night for a 7 p.m. game against the Monarchs. Meanwhile, the Patriots will host James Madison on Saturday night at 7 p.m. at George Mason Stadium.
College Men's Soccer: George Mason University 3, Towson University 2
George Mason (5-5-1, 1-3-1) 0-3 / 3
Towson (7-3-1, 1-3-1) 1-1 / 2
Goals: GMU – Ernesto Marquez 1 (60:55), Mike Foss 1 (68:32), Hugh Roberts 1 (78:41); TOW – Joe O'Rourke 1 (29:03), Marco Mangione 1 (80:10). Assists: GMU – Ernesto Marquez 2, Alex Herrera 1; TOW – Joe O'Rourke 1, Scott Horta 1. Saves: GMU – Mark Bixler 2 (45:00, 1 goals allowed), Sean Cote 0 (45:00, 1 goals allowed); TOW – Angelo Viteritti 1 (90:00, 3 goals allowed). Shots: GMU – 10; TOW – 9. Corner Kicks: GMU – 5; TOW – 4. Attendance: 327.
