FAIRFAX, Va. – The La Salle men's soccer team struck first in the game against George Mason to take an early lead that it would not relinquish on Saturday afternoon. The Explorers topped the Patriots 4-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Explorers came out hungry to score with Nigel Buckley, Omari Cotterell and Junior Nare firing off shots at the goal in the first nine minutes. Isak Sedin connected with Scott Beeks in the 10^th minute to put La Salle on the board, 1-0.
• Franc Gamiz-Quer ripped a shot at the bottom center saved by Patriots goalkeeper Jackson Lee. Gamiz-Quer quickly set up Junior Nare for a follow-up shot. Nare found the back of the net to put the Explorers up 2-0.
• George Mason managed one goal in the first half, but La Salle quickly stifled the one-point reach in the 59^th minute when Beeks brought the ball down the left side and crossed it to Buckley ripped the shot from the top of the box for the goal.
• A corner kick in the 74^th minute set La Salle up for its final scoring effort of the contest. Sedin took the shot from the left corner sending it right into the traffic out front of the net. Gamiz-Quer had the height advantage in the crowd and got a head on it for the goal.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:  

• La Salle held the advantage in shots 18-9 and corner kicks 4-3.
• Buckley paced the attack with a team-high seven shots in the game with five landing on goal.
• Brett Werner split time in net with Mitch Foster. Werner made two saves on three shots faced.
• This marks the second-consecutive game and third overall this season La Salle has scored four goals.
• Buckley leads the Explorers in goals with seven while Beeks leads in assists with four.