FAIRFAX, Va. – The William & Mary lacrosse team fell at George Mason in its road opener, 20-11, on Saturday afternoon.
 
Although W&M (0-2) trailed by just one midway through the first half, 4-3, the Patriots (1-1) closed the opening stanza with a 7-1 run to build an 11-4 lead at halftime.
 
While the Tribe posted four unanswered goals to begin the second half, Mason responded with a 7-0 run to pull away for the non-conference victory.  
 
Tribe Standouts
Belle Martire led W&M with four goals, while Nikky Price (2g) and Sarah Cipolla (1g, 1a) added two points apiece. Cipolla's stat line also included a team-high five draw controls, while Caroline Donovan nearly matched that total with four.
 
Audrey Hoeg recorded a team-high four ground balls with a pair of caused turnovers.  
 
Inside the Numbers
Although Mason committed more turnovers than W&M (23-17) and held narrow advantages in shots (29-27) and ground balls (21-20), the Patriots owned a 21-12 margin in draw controls.
 
The Opposition
Erin Donoghue led Mason with seven points (6g, 1a), while Abby Folker (4g, 1a), Hailey Johnson (4g) and Deanna Balsama (2g, 3a) also contributed to the Patriots' offensive production. Balsama also totaled a game-high 12 draw controls.
 
Notes
Martire has led W&M in goals scored each of the first two games this season and currently has nine … Despite the loss, W&M still controls the all-time series against Mason, 18-9, and has won seven of the last 10 meetings … The contest marked the first of six games on W&M's schedule versus teams from the Commonwealth of Virginia.
 
Up Next
The Tribe will return to action when it hosts Old Dominion at Martin Family Stadium on Wednesday at 5 p.m.