No. 18 men's soccer falters at VCU, 1-0

Just days after recieving their first national ranking of the season, Ryan Gracia and the Patriots fell to VCU for their first CAA loss Saturday night (John Powell).

Putting their national ranking on the line for the first time this season, the No. 18 George Mason men's soccer team (4-3-2) snapped their three-game undefeated streak, falling to the VCU Rams, 1-0, in Richmond Saturday night.

The Patriots were coming off a victory over then-No. 11 Old Dominion to open CAA competition. Saturday's loss to VCU drops their conference record to 1-1.

The Rams came out the aggressor, registering three shots early in the contest before the Patriots even attempted their first. Mason ended VCU's run, however, with consecutive shots by junior Taylor Morgan and freshman Timmy Mulgrew.

The Patriots' sophomore goalkeeper Sean Cote got his first save of the game early in the second period, blocking the shot by VCU's Jason Johnson. He was unable to save the next ball that was sent his way, however, as the Rams' Yoram Mwila sent it into the back of the net at the 72-minute mark.

The Patriots were unable to get another shot on goal the rest of the contest.

Despite the loss, the Patriots did outnumber the Rams 3-2 in total shots on goal. Mulgrew registered one in the first period, followed by Morgan and sophomore Hugh Roberts in the second period.

The squad returns home to host Drexel Wednesday at 7 p.m. This will be their third CAA game of the season.