April 13, 2012
FAIRFAX, Va. – Despite scoring five unanswered goals in the second half to tie up the game, the Old Dominion University Lacrosse team fell on a pair of late goals on Friday night at GMU Stadium to George Mason, 9-7.
George Mason (3-10, 1-3) jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first five minutes as Emil Ellisen and Caitlin Formato, who each scored twice in the first half each found the back of the net. Old Dominion (4-10, 1-3) countered in the ensuing five minutes as senior attacker Rebecca Reymann and senior midfielder Lisa Bernardini each scored to tie the game up.
It was the 14th time in 15 games this season that Bernardini scored but she would be knocked out of the game with an a lower extremity injury. That would be all the offense the Lady Monarchs would muster despite outshooting the Patriots as Mason scored two more goals and added their fifth of the half just before time expired as senior goalie Sarah Geary picked up a save but the ball came free right after and GMU scooped and scored before the buzzer to go in front, 5-2.
Just as in the first half, George Mason scored two quick goals to start the second half. ODU would respond with five consecutive goals to tie it up as senior midfielder Sarah Wright ended the GMU streak scoring twice in the second half. Reymann recorded a hat trick on the evening and freshman midfielder Christina Rea got in on the scoring action as the Lady Monarchs roared back.
The Patriots would finally end ODU’s streak after not scoring for over 25 minutes on a free position attempt with just under four minutes to play as Rachel Obregon scored. GMU would add another with just under two minutes to play to seal the win, 9-7. It was the first CAA win for the Patriots since the final game of the 2009 season.
Reymann lead the ODU attack with three goals and Wright added two for the Lady Monarchs. Geary moved into sole possession of second place all-time in career saves at ODU in the game after picking up eight saves and three groundballs on the evening while causing a turnover. Mason was led by Ellison who scored three goals and added two assists to go with five groundballs. Goalie Brittany Pastrana had seven saves and a groundball for the Patriots.
On Sunday, Old Dominion returns to Norfolk for their final home game of the regular season when they host James Madison at 1 p.m. at the Powhatan Sports Complex. All nine ODU seniors will be honored before the game and former head coach Sue Stahl will be honored at halftime. The first 200 fans will receive a free ODU Lacrosse tank top.
Live video and live stats will be available at ODUSports.com and updates throughout the game on Sunday can also be found on Twitter at @ODULacrosse.