FAIRFAX, Va.— The William & Mary men's soccer team pushed hard for an equalizer in the final 70 minutes against George Mason on Tuesday night but were unable to find one, falling to the Patriots 1-0.
 
The Tribe took the first two shots of the match, with Sam Delgado and Tre Barrett each having attempts blocked in the 5^th and 7^th minute.
 
George Mason slowed the early W&M attack and responded by scoring to take a 1-0 lead in the 19^th minute.
 
The Patriots kept up the pressure to extend their lead as the half continued, but the Tribe backline stood tall to keep it a one-goal match.
 
Ryan Eapen, the reigning CAA Rookie of the Week, made a sliding stop for his first save of the evening in the 34^th minute.
 
The Tribe had chances off a couple set pieces before the opening half ended but were unable to strike, as the first 45 closed with the score still 1-0.
 
W&M came out of the halftime break determined to equalize, attacking early.
 
Less than two minutes into the half, the Tribe had a pair of shots blocked before an indirect free kick was awarded just inside the 18-yard box. After a couple of fakes, Aidan Morrison tapped the ball off to Barrett who ripped a try just inches over the crossbar.
 
Barrett would get a chance again in the 49^th minute, cutting past a defender and shooting from the penalty spot. This time, instead of missing high, his shot rattled the crossbar and ricocheted out of harm's way as the score remained 1-0.
 
Eapen made a diving save in the 57^th minute and Gabe Ruitenberg tried his hand at goal less then 90 seconds later, but his attempt was saved by the Patriot keeper.
 
Showing why he was deserving of Rookie of the Week honors, Eapen again put his athleticism on display in the 70^th minute, sprawling out to his right for a spectacular save.
 
The visiting Tribe had another crack at an equalizer off a set piece in the 76^th minute, with Morrison playing a header to the unattended back-post. Unfortunately for W&M no one was home to put it away and they still trailed by one.
 
With time winding down the closest call of the night for W&M may have come from Delgado in the 86^th minute. The transfer from Rutgers found himself on the end of a cross just outside the 6-yard box and ripped a volley from right in front that missed inches high.
 
That would be the last shot of the evening for the Tribe, as they would drop the contest 1-0.
 
W&M's hard push for an equalizer was evident by looking at the final shot numbers. The Tribe outshot the Patriots 17-12 on the evening and 12-5 in the final 45 minutes.
 
Eapen made four saves on the evening for W&M, while Gabe Ruitenberg placed three of his four shots on goal.
 
 
Starters
W&M- #2 Howes, #5 Hiort-Wright, #8 Branco, #11 Morrison, #12 Barrett, #13 Crocco, #14 Sigurjonsson, #15 Delgado, #16 Rabush, #21 Cooper, #25 Eapen
Mason- #3 Sanchez, #4 Sanchez, #8 Eliuda, #17 Clain, #19 Carson, #23 Montava, #26 Wachsman, #28 Sereno, #31 Maestre, #34 Lemoine
 
Up Next
The Tribe will return to conference action when they host UNCW on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Williamsburg.