Nov. 26, 2003

FAIRFAX, VA ... George Mason junior goalkeeper John O'Hara has been named to the CoSIDA University Division Academic All-America second team for District III. The voting was conducted by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) in District III, which includes the states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

A 6-1, 185-pound native of Foxford, Ireland, and a graduate of St. Jarlaths College, O'Hara earned the academic honor by posting a 3.529 grade-point average in his physical education major through the conclusion of the Spring 2003 semester. He has been a member of the Athletic Director's Honor Roll (minimum 3.0 GPA) in each of his four semesters at George Mason and was named to the Dean's List (minimum 3.5 GPA) in both semesters in 2002-03. He also has received the Colonial Athletic Association Commissioner's Academic Award in each of his two years with the Patriots.

O'Hara had another outstanding season on the field as the George Mason goalkeeper as he was selected to the All-CAA first team for the second straight season. He was a second-team choice as a freshman when he was also named the CAA Rookie of the Year.

O'Hara set a George Mason season record for minutes played with 2,205 and he benefited from a stellar Patriot defense (ranked nationally for shutout percentage with 11 in 23 games) to post 10 full shutouts and another shared this season. He had a 0.98 goals-against average with 73 saves, including a 0.71 GAA and 28 saves with four shutouts against CAA foes during the regular season. In addition, he recorded his first career assist off a long clearing pass against Stony Brook on Aug. 31. For his career, he has started each of the 60 games he has appeared in and ranks third in Patriot history with 22 shutouts and fourth with 215 saves.

"John is a credit to the George Mason soccer program," said Patriot third-year head coach Fran O'Leary. "He has succeeded in excelling both in the classroom and on the playing field. John is a terrific lad and is a valued leader in our program."

George Mason completed the season with an 11-6-6 overall record and a 4-2-3 mark in the CAA, finishing third in the regular season. The Patriots advanced to the CAA Championship final game before falling to Virginia Commonwealth, and the 11 victories were the most for George Mason since the 1997 team was 13-7.