FAIRFAX, Va.- Despite a furious second-half comeback where La Salle netted seven goals, the lacrosse team dropped the first game of the conference season on Friday in a 15-8 tilt at George Mason. The Explorers slipped to a 4-5 overall record and are 0-1 beginning Atlantic 10 play.

When La Salle took the field for the second half with an eight goal deficit, Toni Massetti led the Explorers in a comeback to close the gap. After a pass from freshman Gina Salemi, Massetti sent the ball flying past Patriot goalkeeper Elizabeth Bendetto to begin the recovery.

Freshman Abby Squires scored again for La Salle with her first collegiate shot to continue to close the 11-3 gap.

After another goal from George Mason, La Salle fired back with a three goal run to build on the momentum. Allee Ilgenfritz tallied two goals and Anna Gordon scored one in the Blue and Gold spurt.

George Mason proved too to be too much to overcome, as they held onto their lead to capture the game despite two more La Salle goals from Ilgenfritz and Brittany Edwards.

Gordon led La Salle with four ground balls, while Ilgenfritz and Courtney Woolford picked up three each. Nicole Black and Kiara Lynch scooped up two ground balls apiece on the day.

Hailey Leister and Ilgenfritz caused two turnovers each to lead La Salle's defensive efforts against the Patriots.

In goal, Lucy Loughlin averaged a .500 save percentage when she stopped nine shots, seven of which occurred in the second stanza, while Lynne Frankel recorded five saves in the first 18 minutes of play.

La Salle will begin a four game home stand on Sunday when the team welcomes Richmond at McCarthy Stadium at 12:00 PM.