FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA - La Salle (3-4-7) secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over George Mason (6-5-1) on Saturday afternoon at George Mason Stadium, with Alex Lawrence netting the winner in the 90th minute before a crowd of 1,247.
Zachary Forehand opened the scoring for La Salle in the 31st minute, firing home from close range. George Mason equalized through Will Carson in the 45th minute, assisted by Martim Sereno's precise cross. The match appeared headed for a draw until Lawrence's late heroics, converting a Zachary Forehand assist in the final minute of regulation.
The first half saw George Mason control much of the possession, generating multiple scoring opportunities. Yannick Mambo tested the La Salle defense with two dangerous shots in the 6th and 26th minutes, while Martim Sereno struck the woodwork in the 23rd minute. La Salle's Sean Yurgel responded with two attempts of his own in the 4th and 9th minutes, demonstrating the visitors' counter-attacking threat.
The second half featured increased intensity from both sides. La Salle's Zeke Zambrano created two excellent chances in the 73rd and 77th minutes, while George Mason's Kelly Janssen saw his 89th-minute effort strike the crossbar. The match's complexion shifted after George Mason made three simultaneous substitutions in the 74th minute, withdrawing Elijah Jackson, David Garcia, and Martim Sereno.
Final statistics reflected the match's competitive nature, with George Mason recording 17 shot attempts to La Salle's 14. Both teams managed five shots on target, while George Mason held a slight 7-6 advantage in corner kicks. The physical contest saw nine yellow cards distributed - five to La Salle and four to George Mason.
Several players delivered standout performances. La Salle's Zachary Forehand contributed a goal and an assist, while Alexandru Zama posed a consistent threat with multiple attempts on goal. George Mason's Will Carson not only scored but demonstrated excellent defensive work before receiving a yellow card in the 32nd minute. Martim Sereno's creative presence was particularly notable before his substitution, recording three shots and an assist.
The tactical battle showcased La Salle's effective counter-attacking strategy against George Mason's possession-based approach. The hosts' high press created problems for La Salle's buildup play, evidenced by forced turnovers leading to shots from Jaime Godinho and Sergio Gonzalez Fernandez. La Salle's defensive organization, particularly after the introduction of fresh legs in the second half, proved crucial in maintaining their shape before Lawrence's winner.
This victory extends La Salle's winning streak to two matches, building momentum after their recent 4-0 triumph over Arcadia. For George Mason, the defeat marks their second loss in three matches, despite their previous high-scoring victory at St. Bonaventure.
The match ultimately turned on Lawrence's clinical finish, but both teams demonstrated quality throughout the ninety minutes. La Salle's defensive resilience, particularly in weathering George Mason's 17 shots, proved decisive in securing all three points.
Looking ahead, George Mason will seek to bounce back when they travel to William & Mary on October 21, while La Salle aims to extend their winning run at St. Bonaventure on October 25.