Box Score WASHINGTON – The No. 8 Georgetown women's soccer team defeated the George Mason Patriots on a rainy Sunday afternoon at George Mason Stadium, 2-1. With the win, GU advances to 5-0-2 on the season while the Patriots fall to 4-3.
 
The Hoyas scored its pair of goals in the second half of the game. Senior Caitlin Farrell (Wallingford, Conn. / Choates Rosemary Hall) tied the game for GU, 1-1, in the 58th minute off of a rebound, tallying her third goal of the season. Graduate student Kyra Carusa (San Diego, Calif. / Del Norte / Stanford) scored the go-ahead goal in the 72nd minute, giving the Blue & Gray a 2-1 lead. This marked Carusa's fourth goal this season.
 
"This game was always going to be a test for the team today, plenty of distractions including a late change of venue and also a heavy rain for the entire game," said Head Coach Dave Nolan. "When we gave up a goal on their only effort in the first half, it certainly had the feel of a banana skin game. However, we spoke at the half about continuing to do what we do well and we would be fine. Thankfully we got two goals and it's the second time this year we have come from behind, a good sign."
 
GU's offense took charge in the first half, outshooting the Patriots, 12-4. Senior Amanda Carolan (Bayville, N.J. / Central Regional) fired a shot towards George Mason's goalkeeper Morgan Symmers that was blocked and deflected back to junior Paula Germino-Watnick (Chevy Chase, Md. / Bethesda-Chevy Chase), whose shot just missed the net.
 
George Mason took the 1-0 lead in the 39th minute off a free kick that was headed in the net past junior goalkeeper Lauren Gallagher (Pearl River, N.Y. / Pearl River). With one minute left of play in the first half, Farrell tried to even the score but was too wide.
 
Despite the weather conditions, the Hoyas headed into the second half keeping its same rhythm from earlier. Carusa fired a shot from the right side of the box but was saved by Symmers and deflected back to Farrell, who then put Georgetown on the board in the 58th minute and evened the score, 1-1.
 
Two minutes later, Carusa had the opportunity to take the lead but Symmers came through with the save. In the 72nd minute, Carusa scored the go-ahead goal for the Hoyas as she was able to get the ball past a pressuring Patriots defense in the box, making the score 2-1. The Blue & Gray's outstanding defense did not allow the Patriots to capitalize on any scoring opportunities the rest of the game.
 
Georgetown's defense played the entire game pressuring George Mason's offense, allowing them to take only four shots throughout the 90 minutes of play, which all occurred in the first half. The Hoyas took a total of 24 shots and took seven corner kicks while the Patriots did not take any. Gallagher recorded two saves while Symmers had six.
 
"Credit to George Mason for graciously hosting us on the day and their team has been on a good run of late so we were happy to get out of there with a win," said Nolan. "Now we have to try to prepare for two tough opponents next week at Princeton on Thursday and at home against Columbia next Sunday to finish out our non-conference schedule."
 
Next up, the Blue & Gray will hit the road to play Princeton on Thursday, September 13 for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Live stats and video will be available at www.GUHoyas.com.