May 6, 2003

FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason is ranked nationally in the latest NCAA women's lacrosse statistics released Tuesday. Statistics are based on games played through Sunday, May 4.

The Patriots, who lead the Colonial Athletic Association in caused turnovers, are ranked third nationally in that category, averaging 14.88 per game behind No. 1 Loyola (15.19) and sixth-ranked Georgetown (16.20).

Individually, senior defender Paula Priest (Kingsville, MD/Fallston), who missed three games this season due to a knee injury, returned to form and is sixth in the nation with 2.79 caused turnovers per game, ranking first in the CAA. Freshman defender Katie Linnertz (Syracuse, NY/Cicero North Syracuse), who is second in the CAA in caused turnovers per game at 2.41, is listed 11th nationally in that category. Sophomore goalkeeper Meg Dentler (Crofton, MD/Arundel) is rated fifth in the country and leads the CAA in save percentage (.583).

Offensively, senior All-American attacker Jill Toomey (Annapolis, MD/Broadneck) is seventh in the nation in points, averaging 4.24 per game, and is fifth nationally in goals per outing (3.47). Sophomore attacker Kristy Manas (Harwood, MD/Southern) is listed No. 5 nationally with 1.82 assists per contest.

George Mason concluded its season with a 9-8 overall mark for its first winning season since 1998. The team's nine wins ties the school record set last year (9-9) for victories in a season. Mason also set a school single-season record with 84 assists.