Jan. 6, 2003

FAIRFAX, VA ... The George Mason University women's soccer team has been recognized as one of the top teams in the nation in regards to academics. The Patriots earned a Team Academic Award from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) for maintaining a grade point average above 3.0 for the 2001-02 academic year.

George Mason posted an overall GPA of 3.08 for 2001-02 and was one of 213 women's programs (including Divisions I, II and III) to earn the award. A total of 67 men's teams also were honored.

Mason head coach Jac Cicala became the all-time leader in women's soccer coaching victories as the Patriots finished the 2002 fall season with a 10-11 overall record, 7-2 and in second place in the Colonial Athletic Association. In his 11th season, Cicala saw his career record improve to 130-87-16, surpassing the mark of 126 victories by program founder Hank Leung over 10 seasons. Cicala earned CAA Coach of the Year honors as he guided the Patriots to the CAA Tournament championship game.