FAIRFAX, VA.- A physical and speedy George Mason squad faced off against the Longwood Lancers in a midweek away matchup.
 
Four different Lancers (0-3) found the back of the net in an 18-7 loss to the Patriots (4-2).
 
An early surge by George Mason, keyed by four goals from Daniella Jimenez, led the Patriots (4-2).
 
Two true freshmen led the scoring effort for Longwood. Madison Rogers netted her first career hat trick, and Bailey Stratton netted two goals as well.
 
SCORE:
 
               1             2             3             4             FINAL
LWU      0             0             4             3             7
GMU     8             6             0             4             18
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
George Mason got off to a hot start scoring eight unanswered goals in the first quarter. They added six more in the second to take a 14-0 lead at half.
 
Longwood rebounded with four unanswered goals in the third quarter. Rogers bookended the scoring with two of her three goals, and Stratton and Kendra DeFelippo added goals as well.
 
George Mason fired home three goals over the first half of the fourth quarter, but the Lancers again rallied to close the gap.
 
Rogers and Stratton each had goals, and Brooke Choi added one of her own as the Lancers scored the final three goals of the game.

WHAT THEY SAID:

"It was a game of two halves," said Longwood Head Coach Dwayne Hicks. "We came out flat and just made too many mistakes. And I have to give George Mason credit, they capitalized on our turnovers and penalties.  We earned 14-0 at the half. We didn't play up to our ability."

"At halftime, I said to forget about the score and just go play and have fun," Hicks added. "And that's what we did. We pressed. We pushed. We played with some grit. I wish we had brought that energy in the first half. I'm really proud of the way they fought back and played when they were down by 14 goals. It showed a lot of character and that's important for a young team to learn… how to play through adversity."

UP NEXT:
 
Longwood heads out to Liberty on Saturday. The match begins at 3 p.m., and it will air on ESPN+.
 
#GoWood #HorsePower