April 20, 2008

FAIRFAX, Va. - The Hofstra Pride (7-8, 4-3 CAA) spoiled No. 12 George Mason's (11-4, 4-2 CAA) bid for a perfect season at home with an 11-10 come-from-behind victory on a cold and rainy Sunday afternoon at George Mason Stadium. With the loss, the Patriots fall into a tie for second place in the CAA women's lacrosse standings.

Mason, whose 11 wins already represents a school record for victories in a season, were on the cusp of completing the first undefeated season at home in the history of the program and tying the school record for conference wins. The Patriots held a 10-5 lead after junior midfielder Alana Chan scored her third goal of the day off of a free-position shot with 19:21 remaining in the contest.

After Chan's goal, Mason was held without a score the rest of the way. Meanwhile, the Hofstra attack came alive, scoring six unanswered goals in a span of 10:41 to take the lead for the first time since the Pride's K'Leigh Vanaman scored the first goal of the game 1:08 into the contest. Vanaman began the 6-0 spurt with her second goal of the game with 16:39 remaining. Freshman midfielder Stephanie Rice closed the run with a free-position goal at the 5:58 mark of the second half that turned out to be the game-winner.

The Patriots had a couple chances within the final minute to tie the game but couldn't get the ball past Hofstra goalkeeper Maisie Osteen, who finished with 13 saves on the day. Osteen came up with a save on Chan's free-position shot, while senior attacker Laura King fired a shot that hit the post.

The loss turns the Patriots next game against James Madison on Saturday, April 16 at noon in Harrisonburg, Va. into a critical matchup for Mason's postseason hopes. The top four teams in the conference all advance to the CAA Championship Tournament at the home of the highest seed on May 2-4.

After Sunday's games, Towson is in first place in the CAA standings with a 5-2 conference record, while George Mason and William and Mary are tied for second place with a 4-2 mark. Delaware and Hofstra are both tied for fourth with a 4-3 record while JMU sits in sixth with a 3-3 mark. All six teams are vying for one of those four spots. The only other conference game remaining besides the Mason and JMU matchup is a Thursday night game in Williamsburg, Va. between Old Dominion and William and Mary.

Prior to the start of Sunday's game, a ceremony was held for the senior class of Megan Bartlett, King, Jenny Tran and Alex Velesz. In the quartet's final appearance in front of the home crowd, Bartlett finished with a goal and two ground balls, King recorded three goals, six ground balls and four caused turnovers, Tran scooped up two ground balls and grabbed a draw control and Velesz added three draw controls.