Sept. 12, 2002

Sophomore goalkeeper John O'Hara is ranked nationally in the first NCAA Division I men's soccer statistics report of the year, and George Mason has returned to the regional rankings for the first time in two seasons.

A native of Foxford, Ireland, and the 2001 Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Year, O'Hara is ranked 14th in the nation with a 0.46 goals-against average. As a team, the Patriots are ranked 12th with the same GAA, while with two shutouts in its first four games, George Mason is ranked tied for 27th in shutout percentage at 0.50 per game.

"I believe John is one of the best goalkeepers in the nation," said second-year head coach Fran O'Leary, who has guided George Mason to a 3-0-1 start in 2002. "He's a terrific last line of defense, but the whole team must get credit for our goals-against average as we believe defending begins from the front."

In addition, the Patriots are ranked sixth this week in the South Atlantic Region, their first regional ranking since early in the 2000 season. The South Atlantic has traditionally been one of the top regions in the country as at least four and usually more teams advance annually to the NCAA Tournament, and that strength and depth should lead to more region representatives as the tournament expanded from 32 to 48 teams last season.

A staple in the South Atlantic rankings for much of the 1980s and '90s, George Mason has struggled the past few seasons. But O'Leary, who led the Patriots to an 8-9-1 mark in his first season in 2001, believes things are headed in the right direction.

"There is a sense of optimism among the team as they look forward to the challenges ahead," said O'Leary. "While it is nice to have our good start recognized in the regional rankings, I think the players realize the only poll that truly matters is the poll at the end of the season."

George Mason hosts Manhattan Saturday at 7 p.m. at George Mason Stadium.