By Khush Wadhwa
The GW men’s soccer team lost to George Mason on Saturday, marking six straight games without a win.
Their home matchup on October 4 against George Mason University was not projected to be easy. The Patriots held a 4-3-1 record, including a win against nationally-ranked University of Virginia. At the Vern’s GW Soccer Field, the Revolutionaries’ defense once again held up their end of the bargain, holding the Patriots to just one goal. However, the offense could not muster up the strength to score, resulting in a 1-0 loss.
GW’s first attempt on goal would come nine minutes in from forward Patricio Altamirano, who drove on goal, taking a couple dribbles and playing a shot at GMU keeper Jaume Salvado. He would not be tested again for 20 minutes, with GMU winning the ball in the midfield and taking advantage of loose passes from the Revs. Defender Jake Hobbs and captain and goalkeeper Tom Macauley would combine to keep GW in the game defensively with a pair of influential blocks and saves off a pair of GMU corners and several quick counter-attacks.
Three minutes before the end of the half, the Revs had their best chance at a goal. Following a chic nutmeg from forward Jaden Dubon, a series of shots from George Washington’s attackers bounced inside the box, with the GMU defense unable to corral the loose ball.
In the second half, GMU’s dominance shone through. GMU developed a counter-attack, eventually landing at the feet of forward Jacobo Sanfeliu, who quickly drove sideways and delivered a curling shot that beat Macaulay for the opening goal.
With just over 28 minutes to go, Dubon crossed the ball into the box to Altamirano, who felt a tug and went down heavily. The penalty shout from GW’s bench was largely ignored by referee Zachary Smith, though a yellow card was issued to a member of the bench. “It’s a manmade call,” Jones said. “Sometimes you get them right, sometimes you don’t.”
Though GW peppered the box with some late shots, all were handily dealt with by GMU’s defense, and the game ended in a 1-0 defeat. The loss takes GW to 2-7-2 on the season. “We haven’t won in conference yet, so it hurts. It really hurts,” Macaulay said.
Stats cannot tell the full story of this game. Though GW only had three less shots and one less shot on goal than their opponents, they appeared outclassed on the offensive side of the ball. The Patriots offense conducted a much stronger test of the Revs’ back line and goalkeeper. “It was so bad today in the final third, and I told the guys that,” head coach Craig Jones said. “You can’t win games if you’re that bad in the final third.”
Craig Jones’ Revolutionaries have struggled since their home win against Navy on September 10. Following that game, they held New Haven to a scoreless draw, then suffered successive home losses to Stetson and Fordham, drew Delaware, and travelled to St. Bonaventure and lost. Across those five games, they scored a paltry three goals, while allowing six.
As for defense, the Revolutionaries should take pride in holding an offense averaging 2.38 goals per game to just a single goal. The seven goals allowed by the Revolutionaries defense is a product of extraordinary effort by the team’s back line.
Absences have also affected this team, with defender Mark Nakamura and midfielder Liam Coffey unable to play for GW. Midfielder Finn Roberts and defender John Matlock, who contributed in the win against Navy, were also absent. “Unfortunately, we’re a little low in terms of guys who are healthy, so we’ve got to try to pick the guys up tomorrow,” Jones said.
GW’s next match is scheduled for October 8 against Saint Louis. “That game is going to be tougher than the one today,” Jones said. “Two areas we’re gonna improve on: don’t switch off, take a play off, and do more in the final third.”
GW faces off against no. 21 St Louis this Wednesday.
