UNCW’s men’s soccer team lost a grueling match to George Mason University in the closing minutes of double overtime. Regulation came to a close with the score tied at one, and neither team was able to capitalize on its opportunities until Laszlo Juhasz scored the game-winner for the Patriots with 1:11 to play in the second overtime.

George Mason’s Charlie Snee scored the first goal of the game at the 32:17 mark, chasing a long ball down the field and then beating UNCW goalie Bill Mills to the ball to score.

The Patriots dominated much of the first half, keeping the ball on their end of the field for long stretches of time.

“I think our defense played admirably,” UNCW head coach Aidan Heaney said of UNCW’s first half play.

Senior Tommy Miller scored the only goal of the match for the Seahawks five and a half minutes after GMU’s goal. Miller scored on a free kick from 20 yards out, shooting the ball high and around the wall of GMU players.

Three of UNCW’s six shots for the game came in the first half, as the Seahawks began creating more scoring opportunities in the latter stages of the half.

The intensity of the match escalated in the second half, as the teams drew a combined 14 fouls. The officials handed out a total of eight yellow cards in the game, in addition to one red card. GMU’s Keith Nakai, a 6’0 defender, was charged with the red card at the 87:50 mark when he tripped a UNCW player on a breakaway.

Miller took the free kick for the Seahawks after the red card, but his shot deflected off the wall of GMU defenders. Miller’s free kick was UNCW’s final scoring opportunity in regulation.

Neither team was able to register a shot on goal in the first overtime period, even though the Seahawks found themselves in scoring position a number of times with about six minutes to play in the period.

“We just didn’t finish the game off when we had chances,” Heaney said.

Both teams recorded two shots in the second overtime period, and the intensity level lifted even higher. After enduring a number of challenges from GMU coach Fran O’Leary, the officials gave him a yellow card at the 118:45 mark.

O’Leary, who had been frustrated with the officials throughout overtime, stood up and yelled to the official on the other side of the field, “Every single challenge, you call against us.”

The official, who called 21 fouls against the Patriots and 14 against UNCW, stormed to the GMU bench and gave the yellow card.

But O’Leary’s energy rubbed off on his team, who scored the game-winner less than five minutes later.

“I don’t think there was a deciding factor throughout the game,” said UNCW goalie Bill Mills, who had four saves in the game, “I just think it was one mistake in the end that cost us the game.”

With the loss, UNCW’s record fell to 3-8, 0-2 in Colonial Athletic Association play. The Seahawks, who have been unable to win back-to-back games all season, will play at Stetson on Sunday before meeting Virginia Commonwealth for their next conference matchup.

“We just have to make our own luck,” said Miller, who took four shots for UNCW. “We’ve been making a lot of little mistakes, but if we can cut out the little mistakes, we can start winning games.”