Aug. 23, 2003

FAIRFAX, VA ... Junior Sarah Wilkinson scored on a header in the 35th minute of action to lift George Mason to a 1-0 victory in a collegiate women's soccer exhibition game Saturday afternoon on the George Mason practice field.

Wilkinson, who was third on the Patriots with 12 points on four goals and four assists last season, converted on a play that started off a corner kick. Sophomore Amy Sorenson played a short corner out to sophomore Kristin Portell, who sent a long cross toward the far post. Wilkinson found herself alone and sent a 10-yard header inside the left post for the only scoring in the 90-minute contest.

American had the best of the play in the first of three 30-minute periods as the Eagles outshot George Mason, 4-2. Two of the shots went on net, but Patriot freshman Olivia Brown made one point-blank save and senior defender Cara Patton headed another away from the goal.

The teams played fairly even after the George Mason goal as American held an 8-7 advantage in total shots. Brown made two saves for the Patriots, while each Eagle goalkeeper - freshman Alison Doyle, senior Lauren Wohl and freshman Ingibjorg Johannesdottir - had one save.

George Mason opens its 2003 season at home on Saturday, Aug. 30, against Virginia Tech at 7 p.m. The Patriots return 13 letterwinners from a team that was 10-11 overall and 7-2 in the Colonial Athletic Association last season. Mason advanced to the CAA Tournament championship game.