Baltimore -- Loyola University Maryland controlled much of the possession and generated multiple chances, but a late first-half goal proved decisive as George Mason George Mason University held on for the 1-0 win on Thursday night at Ridley Athletic Complex.

The Greyhounds (3-2-2 overall) held the slight edge in possession, holding a 53% possession advantage and finishing with three corner kicks to the Patriots' two. Loyola's back line kept George Mason (1-5-1 overall) largely at bay, limiting the visitors to just two shots on target.

Goalkeeper Brigid Mulholland steadied Loyola between the posts, coming up with a key second-half stop to keep the Greyhounds within striking distance. Up front, Savannah Manset, Taryn Buckley and Francesca Khachatourians all tested the Patriots' defense with efforts that carried just wide.

The lone goal came in the 43rd minute, when George Mason's Isabella Yousefi scored on a rebound, after the original shot hit the crossbar. Asma Merzougui scored what would have been the game-tying goal right before halftime on a corner kick, but the goal was waved off due to a foul in the box.

In the final minutes, Loyola earned a pair of corners and nearly found the equalizer, as Khachatourians' shot in the 81st minute narrowly missed the target.

The Greyhounds return to action September 14 as they close out non-conference play at George Washington.