Sept. 1, 2002

The George Mason men's soccer team opened its 2002 season with a pair of victories over the weekend at the James Madison/Comfort Inn Invitational in Harrisonburg, VA. The Patriots defeated Temple on Friday, 1-0 in overtime, and defeated St. Francis (PA) on Sunday, 1-0. The consecutive shutouts marked the first time the Patriots recorded back-to-back blankings in their first two games of the season since 1984. That year, George Mason shut out UNC Wilmington (3-0), Virginia Military Institute (5-0) and East Carolina (5-0) to open the year. Mason opened the 1981 season with eight straight shutouts, and they blanked opponents in the first four games in 1982.

Sophomore goalkeeper John O'Hara, the 2001 Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Year, raised his career shutout total to six with the two victories. O'Hara had six saves in the two contests (two against Temple, four against St. Francis), and all of six of his career shutouts have come in his last 11 games.

Junior Mirza Kurspahic scored nearly eight minutes into the first overtime period, lifting George Mason (2-0) to victory over Temple Friday. Kurspahic's first career goal came at the 97:53 mark. The play began as sophomore Danny Climo sent a corner kick into the penalty area, where it was deflected by junior Paul Ondiak to the top of the six-yard box, where Kurspahic drilled it into the net for the game-winner.

Before the overtime goal, George Mason had its best chance to score in the 13th minute of the first half. Climo crossed the ball to Laszlo Juhasz, who hit a one-time half volley from about 20-yards out that was denied by Temple goalkeeper Pat Hannigan. The Patriots outshot the Owls, 19-5, for the game.

Climo again figured in the Patriot goal against St. Francis. Off a free kick from 30 yards out, Climo found junior Barry Suber, who headed in a shot from six yards at the 56:27 mark. Mason outshot St. Francis, 12-9, in the game.

The Patriots open their home schedule as they host the George Mason/Comfort Inn/Kappa Soccer Classic this weekend at George Mason Stadium. Mason entertains Army in the first-ever night game at the stadium on Friday, Sept. 6, at 7:30 p.m. after James Madison faces La Salle at 5 p.m. On Sunday, Sept. 8, JMU meets Army at 12 p.m. prior to the Patriots squaring off with La Salle at 2:30 p.m.