Oct. 25, 2003
Box Score
FAIRFAX, VA - The Loyola men's soccer team finished with a strong 45 minutes, but could not recover from a first-half George Mason goal and fell 1-0 to the Patriots at Fairfax, Va. on Saturday night.
The Greyhounds recovered from a first half in which George Mason took seven shots to Loyola's five. The 'Hounds came out on the offensive in the second half and had several opportunities to tie the score. An offside penalty and a few near-goals, however, would not be enough to even the game.
"George Mason is a good team," says Loyola Head Coach Mark Mettrick. "They scored on us and we just weren't ready. It's a tough way to lose, but we'll learn from this."
The Patriots scored off a restart when Neema Dorovdian took a shot as the Greyhounds set up their wall. The kick sailed into the upper right corner of the cage, surprising goalkeeper Justin Chelland and the Greyhounds in the 39th minute.
The 'Hounds picked up the pace in the second half and just missed on several scoring chances. Senior Jay Joyce had the game's best look in the 59th minute, receiving a beautiful cross from freshman Danny Wheelan and pushing it just wide from about 12 yards out.
Joyce had another goal called back on an offside call, while John Dalziel, Chase Franklin and Steven Coleman all ended the game with shots-on-goal.
"I think we really played well in the second half," says Joyce. "Coming off a disappointing game versus American, we needed to play together and get some momentum going into the final weekend of the season."
Loyola, now 7-6-3, has two games remaining on its regular season schedule. The Greyhounds are home next Friday and Saturday, hosting Canisius and Niagara at Curley Field.
