Dec. 11, 2002

George Mason University sophomore goalkeeper John O'Hara was selected to the first team and freshman defender Damian O'Rourke was a second-team choice as the All-Virginia Division I men's soccer teams were announced Wednesday. Voting was conducted by the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID). O'Hara and O'Rourke both earn their first honors on the men's all-state teams.

O'Hara, a first-team All-Colonial Athletic Association and second-team All-South Atlantic Region selection after being the conference Rookie of the Year in 2001, was the defensive anchor for the George Mason men as they finished the season 8-7-4 overall, 3-4-2 and in seventh place in the CAA. The Patriots allowed just 21 goals in 19 games, their lowest total since 1990.

The 6-1, 185-pound native of Foxford, Ireland, and graduate of St. Jarlaths College was ranked nationally for goals-against average for much of the season, topping out at No. 5 on Sept. 24. O'Hara posted seven full shutouts and shared another as he had a 1.05 GAA (21 goals allowed in 1,806 minutes) in 19 starts, and he added 81 saves. O'Hara has played all but 10 minutes of each of the 37 games he has appeared in as a Patriot, posting 142 career saves and a 1.23 GAA with 11 shutouts.

A 6-2, 180-pound native of Shannon, Ireland, and a graduate of St. Patricks College, O'Rourke made a difference for the Patriots both on offense and defense in 2002 as he was named the CAA Rookie of the Year and to the All-CAA second team. An excellent central defender, he helped anchor a Mason defense that posted eight shutouts and a 1.04 goals-against average in 19 games. Starting all 17 games he played, O'Rourke also moved forward on set plays and contributed three goals and three assists to rank tied for second on the team with nine points.