Patriots Clip Top-Seeded Seahawks 1-0

Story by Broadside Correspondent Brendan Murphy. Photo by Teddy Meyer.

The Patriots defeated top-seeded UNC Wilmington Seahawks, snapping the Seahawks’ five-game win streak in a 1-0 victory at George Mason Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 1.

The must-win victory comes on Senior Night in which six Patriots, including the game-winning goal scorer Kwame Adjeman-Pamboe, were recognized for their long-standing commitment to the university.

Adjeman-Pamboe scored his second game-winning goal of the season off a rebound from the right side in the 52nd minute following a hard shot by freshman midfielder Eber Martinez.

“It feels great. It is too bad my mom wasn’t here but it is nice. We had the shot and took out the number one team,” said Adjeman-Pamboe of his game-winning goal.

Adjeman-Pamboe leads the team with 12 points, including three goals and two assists in his last three games.

“They finally put me up top. For most of the season I was in the midfield. Now, I feel I make good penetrating runs and I work hard for the team so that has allowed me to have success,” Adjeman-Pamboe said.

The Patriots improve their record to 9-6-2 and 5-4-1 in the CAA after their third consecutive win as the Seahawks drop to 10-8-0. The win also marks the first time since the CAA opener where Mason is above .500 in conference play.

“We are getting hot at the right time now. Before we weren’t over just a few games, but we are getting back together and coming together as a team,” Adjeman-Pamboe said.

The Patriots fall into a three-way tie for third place in the CAA with the College of William & Mary and Northeastern University. William & Mary and Northeastern battled each other to a 1-1 tie on Saturday night. The victory leads Mason closer to the CAA six-team tournament kicking off on Nov. 11.

“It’s great the season goes on one more day. During the game I heard some of the scores, teams dropped points so we are in a good position to make the CAA tournament,” Adjeman-Pamboe said.

Both defenses played well from the start as the teams combined for a total of nine shots in a scoreless first half. Each team had two shots on goal in the first 45 minutes of action. At the end of 90 minutes the Patriots out shot the Seahawks 12-to-9 and junior goalkeeper Sean Kelley recorded four saves.

Kelley lowered his average goals allowed from 1.00 to 0.90 and raised the save percentage to an even .800. Avoiding another sophomore struggle, Kelley is returning to his 2006 form when he posted 11 shutouts.

UNC Wilmington came into the game with a high-scoring offense. The team was tied for first with 26 goals and ranked second with 4.18 points per game. Junior forward Devan Carroll entered the game with CAA-leading 20 points, nine goals, and three game-winners. Mason’s defense was able to shut down the Seahawks’ star player all night as Carroll failed to get a shot on goal.

“Priceless, it might be cliché but it has really been a great experience,” said senior defender John Borrajo, referring to his experience playing at Mason.

Borrajo, the captain and team most valuable player, has been outstanding on defense. Mason’s defense helped record a league-high seven shutouts after the solid victory over the Seahawks. Throughout the season, opponents had difficulty in the first half with the Patriots’ defense allowing only three goals in the first 45 minutes. The Seahawks were the latest victims on Saturday night.

“We have done well this season. We have six seniors on the team and we still have a chance at the CAA tournament,” Borrajo said.

Mason travels to Norfolk, Va. on November 7 to face second place Old Dominion University, but soaked up the victory on this special occasion.