Women's soccer game preview: Mason hosts Old Domion in an in-state rivalry

George Mason women's soccer team (photo courtesy of gomason.com).

The George Mason University women’s soccer team will face Old Dominion on Saturday at 7 p.m. at George Mason Field. Mason (1-3-1) and Old Dominion (0-5-0) are both looking for a win to get their seasons on track. 

Senior midfielder Jazmin Cardoso, junior forward Liz Hodges, and sophomore midfielder Sydney Mitchell are three returning players from last season who will continue to see the most playing time. The Patriots need their offense to come up big and these three women are the fuel of the scoring attack.  5’8” senior goalkeeper Lyndse Hokanson will continue to stand tall in net after her four save performance against American in the team’s last matchup.

Freshman defender Jackie Stroud and sophomore midfielder Devin Dougherty are the lone scorers for the Monarchs on a team that continues to struggle.   

In order for the Patriots to pull off this much needed win, they will have to keep their first half defensive intensity going throughout the entire second half.  In their first five games the Patriots have been outplayed by their opponents by a margin of 4-1 in goals scored, 40-26 in shots on goal, and 22-9 in corner kicks. If they are able keep the intensity that they have in the first half defensively they will have a better chance to come out on top. 

The key to the game for the Monarchs is simple; they need to score. With only two goals and one assist on the season, proficient passing is going to be crucial to the team’s chances of winning. 

Something to watch out for is Mason’s high foul count in the second half.  George Mason has racked up 23 fouls in the second half compared to opponents 14.  Old Dominion has tallied 18 to their opponents 13.  In a game that features two teams who have had trouble scoring, the difference may be a costly foul and a well-executed free kick.