Nov. 4, 2002

George Mason University freshman forward Steve Alabi of the men's soccer team has been selected as the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week. The award is for accomplishments from Oct. 28-Nov. 3.

A 5-8, 150-pound native of Rotterham, England, Alabi had an outstanding week, scoring four of George Mason's five goals as the Patriots (8-5-3, 3-2-1 CAA) split a pair of home games against CAA foes. Alabi had Mason's lone goal in a 3-1 loss to Towson Friday, but he recorded his first career hat trick and second career multi-goal game with three goals in a 4-0 victory over Delaware Sunday.

Alabi is tied for 14th this week in the South Atlantic Region with seven goals in nine games. He would rank second in the CAA with 0.78 goals per game, but he has not played in enough games to qualify as he missed the first six games of the season due to NCAA regulations regarding his international playing background.

Alabi scored once in the first half and twice in the second half against the Fightin' Blue Hens for the first George Mason hat trick since Eduardo Lima accomplished the feat on Sept. 3, 2000, in a 5-4 victory over Iona. In the first half, Alabi took a long pass from sophomore David Quinn and dribbled into the penalty area before sending a 15-yard shot past the Delaware goalkeeper at 24:58. Alabi took another pass from Quinn and drilled a 12-yard shot into the net 24 seconds into the second half at 45:24, then he took another long pass from senior Matt Friedman, dribbled again into the area and placed a 12-yard shot inside the right post for the final goal of the day at 78:59.

George Mason, currently in a tie for fifth place with Drexel in the CAA standings, finishes its regular season with three road games against conference foes. The Patriots begin the week at William & Mary on Tuesday at 7 p.m., then they visit Drexel Friday at 2:30 p.m. and Hofstra Sunday at 2 p.m.