NORFOLK, Va. -- The Lady Monarchs (8-3, 2-1) withstood a late rally by the George Mason Patriots (5-6, 1-2) to win its second straight conference game over a team receiving votes in the national poll. Ashley Kellogg scored five goals including the gamewinner, and Kelly Kimener added four in the win.

ODU controlled the game from the start, opening up a five goal lead just over halfway through the first period. Kellog scored off a nice assist from Nicole McMahon just 1:16 into the game. ODU would score five goals in the first ten minutes and went ahead 7-2 in the first 17:27, powering past the Patriots with three goals from Kellogg, two from Kimener and a score each from senior Jessica noone and rookie Lisa Bernardini.

George Mason would close the half on a 3-1 run, though, to cut the lead to three at the break, 8-5. Kellogg notched her fourth tally with just under four minutes remaining to stop a three-goal run from Mason's Megan Udovich, Chelsea GAmble and Caroline Hoyt.

In the second half, Mason pulled within one goal early, scoring twice quickly into the frame. Katie Gerhard found Mary Schwartz and Hoyt from behind the cage for two goals in the first 1:47 of the second half.

With the score at 8-7, the ODU attack tightened up and senior offensive leader Kelly Kimener led the way. Kimener scored two goals within three minutes of eachother, followed by freshman Rebecca Hartrum's first career tally and the eventual gamewinner from Kellogg on a free-position shot.

Kellogg's goal gave the Lady Monarchs their second five-goal lead of the game, at 12-7 with just 14:26 remaining in the game. George Mason, though, battled back. The Patriots scored back to back goals in the 47th minute, just 16 seconds apart. Madalyn Jamison and Alana Chan scored a pair of unassisted goals with just over 13 minutes remaining.

Emily Ellisen and Jamison pulled the Patriots within one with 8:02 remaining, but the remainder would be highlighted by great ball-handling from the Lady Monarchs. ODU held the ball for several minutes before getting a terrific open shot from Saratu Dodo, but Patriots keeper Sara Longobucco made a great save and retained possession for GMU.

On the other end of the field, national Rookie of the Week Sarah Geary would step up in a big way in the waning minutes. She helped seal ODU's win by dropping to her knees and making a tough save off a shot from Patriots leading scorer Madalyn Jamison. With possession and under four minutes to go, ODU was able to hold the ball for the remainder and seal the win.

Kimener and Kellogg combined for nine of Old Dominion's 12 goals as they add to their career-best seasons. Geary made nine saves and allowed 11 goals in the win, as she and the Lady Monarchs improved to 8-3 overall and 2-1 in the league.

George Mason was paced by four different players with two points. Hoyt, Jamison and Gamble each had two goals while Megan Udovich added a goal and an assist.

The Lady Monarchs now travel to James Madison for their final road game of the season against the Dukes on Sunday at 1:00 pm.

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NORFOLK, Va. (April 10, 2009) – George Mason scored the final four goals of the game but its comeback effort fell short as the Patriots lost by a final score of 12-11 to the Old Dominion Monarchs in Colonial Athletic Association women's lacrosse action on Friday afternoon at Foreman Field in Norfolk, Va. The Patriots have lost their last two games by a total of two goals.

After falling behind 12-7 when Old Dominion's Ashley Kellogg connected on a free-position shot with 14:26 remaining in the contest, Mason mounted a furious comeback, scoring four goals in a span of five minutes to cut the deficit to a single goal. Sophomore attacker Madalyn Jamison started the spurt with her 22nd goal of the season off a free-position shot with 13:23 remaining.

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2009-04-10