Jan. 8, 2003

FAIRFAX, VA ... George Mason University freshman defender Damian O'Rourke has been selected to the Freshman All-America third team by College Soccer News. It marks the second straight year a Patriot was so honored, as current sophomore goalkeeper John O'Hara was also a third-team choice last season.

O'Rourke shared the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Year award with UNC Wilmington freshman midfielder Nick Acosta, and he was a second-team All-CAA and All-Virginia selection as well. O'Rourke joined O'Hara (2001 winner) as the only Patriots to earn CAA Rookie of the Year honors.

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. 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.

George Mason concluded its season with an 8-7-4 overall record, the first winning record in four years for the Patriots, and a 3-4-2 mark in the CAA.