Score: VCU 4, George Mason 1
Location: Fairfax, Va. (George Mason Stadium)
Records: VCU 7-2-0 (3-0-0, Atlantic 10), George Mason 3-8-0 (1-2-0 A-10)
 
The short story: Four different Rams found the back of the net as VCU collected its third straight win to start conference play.
 
QUICK FACTS

• Emma Kershner, Bri Kropinack, and Samantha Jerabek each scored their third goals of the season, all tying Aileen Guthrie for the most goals on the team this year.
• Junior midfielder Anna Bagley netted her first goal of the year and third of her career.
• Redshirt senior forward Lyndsey Gutzmer was a dynamic threat along the right wing throughout the match, collecting assists on both of VCU's first two goals. She is now tied with Jerabek for the team lead with three assists on the season.
• Ella Higgins and Kanna Matsuhisa each picked up their second assists of the season in the second half.
• Redshirt senior goalkeeper Grace Young tied her season high with six saves in the win.
• The Rams are the only team to win their first three A-10 matches, and sit alone at the top of the conference standings with nine points.
• VCU also improved its record in road matches to 5-1-0, and has won five out of its last six matches overall.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Gutzmer was active down the right side from the opening whistle, including in the fourth minute when she took a touch around a defender and played a dangerous cross in to Kropinack, whose shot went just over the bar.
• The Patriots got on the board first against the run of play in the sixth minute through Lea Spittka, who finished Grace Hotaling's cross.
• The Rams quickly equalized in the 10th minute as Gutzmer got to the end line and played a driven ball to the near post, where Kershner redirected it into the net.
• Gutzmer also set up the go-ahead goal five minutes later, cutting the ball back to an unmarked Kropinack 12 yards in front of goal, where she took a controlling touch with her left foot and flicked a shot with her right past the goalkeeper to the near post.
• Jerabek had a quality scoring chance in the 26th minute as she raced down the left flank, cut in and had her initial shot blocked before collecting the rebound and firing another shot just over the goal.
• Matsuhisa opened the second half with a good look at goal that went just wide to the right.
• The Rams doubled their lead in the 63rd minute. Matsuhisa turned and played Bagley into the box, where she cut back and used a hesitation move to freeze three Patriot defenders, opening up space for her to place a left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net.
• VCU extended its lead four minutes later as Higgins exploded past a defender to the end line, then played a ball across the face of goal for Jerabek, who swung a right-footed finish into the net.
• Young's best moment came in the 77th minute when she pushed a deflected shot off the crossbar, a second Mason shot hit the crossbar again, then she smothered a headed shot from five yards out off of that rebound.

 
UP NEXT
The Rams host a big A-10 match against reigning conference champions Saint Louis Thursday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. from Sports Backers Stadium. Thursday night is also VCU Women's Soccer's Pride Game, where all VCU fans will receive a VCU Pride t-shirt and button while supplies last. 
 
For more information on VCU Women's Soccer tickets, click here. Every home and A-10 match this season will be broadcast on ESPN+.