Mason women’s soccer defeated Fordham 4-2 Sept. 24. The win marked the Patriots’ first win against the Rams in nearly six years. (Alexandra Henriques / Fourth Estate)
Patriots stay hungry in 4-2 blowout against the Rams
BY ALEXANDRA HENRIQUES, STAFF WRITER
Mason’s graduate midfielder Mia Casciani and freshman forward Kylie Beauregard accounted for three of Mason’s four goals on Sept. 24, leading the Patriots to their first win against conference rival Fordham in nearly six years.
The Patriots came out attacking. Beauregard opened the scoring in the seventh minute, cutting inside before firing a low, left-footed shot into the bottom right corner. The Rams equalized 13 minutes later, and both teams went into the half tied 1-1.
Mason responded in the second half, dominating possession and ultimately finding the breakthrough with Casciani’s first goal of the night: a beautiful long-range effort that found the top left corner.
Fordham’s second-half equalizer didn’t deter Mason’s hunger. The Patriots spent most of the second half applying offensive pressure on the Rams, peppering them with shots on goal.
The pressure would pay off, as Fordham fouled Mason in the box, granting Mason a penalty kick. Senior midfielder Molly Starner went up to take the kick, hoping to score her third goal of the season. Fordham’s junior goalie Addison Green’s initial save wasn’t enough, as Starner fired home the rebound to give the Patriots the winning goal.
Casciani and Beauregard ended the night repeating their earlier success, as Beauregard centered an easy pass to Casciani, who scored her seventh goal of the season. Mason maintained pressure in the final 10 minutes, rarely straying far from Fordham’s box and creating opportunities for a fifth goal.
While the goal never came, the Patriots’ control of possession and consistent offensive style of play let them close out the match with confidence. At the final whistle, the Patriots outshot the Rams and celebrated their first A10 Conference win, with 13 shots on target to the Rams’ four.
More than 500 attendees, including Prince William youth soccer players representing the Virginia Soccer Association, came out to support Mason. After the game, the children gathered around the field’s barricades for pictures and autographs from the Patriot athletes.
While the Patriots lost to the Saint Louis Billikens in Missouri on Sunday, they look to win at home against the University of Richmond Oct. 3 to secure a top-eight finish.
