Aug. 31, 2003

HARRISONBURG, VA ... George Mason scored four goals in the second half, two on penalty kicks, to defeat Stony Brook, 4-0, in the second round of the JMU/Comfort Inn Invitational Sunday at James Madison Soccer Field.

George Mason won its second consecutive game to open the season, improving to 2-0, while Stony Brook fell to 0-2.

The Patriots scored each of their goals in a span of eight and one-half minutes in the second half to break open a close contest with Stony Brook. Sophomore Steve Alabi scored twice on penalty kicks, then assisted on both of junior Karim Manneh's goals. Alabi, who scored Mason's lone goal in a 1-0 victory over Charlotte in the first round of the tournament Friday, leads the Patriots with three goals and two assists for eight points.

Alabi was awarded his first penalty kick at 60:20 after a Stony Brook player was ejected for an intentional hand ball foul. His second goal came exactly two minutes later after a Stony Brook player was ejected for striking a Patriot player and gave Mason a 2-0 lead.

Manneh got into the scoring column at 67:46 as he took a pass from Alabi and sent a 15-yard shot inside the right post. He then scored his second goal of the game at 68:57 after a clearing pass from junior goalkeeper John O'Hara went to Alabi. He gathered the ball and sent it forward to Manneh, who beat the keeper to the left side from 12 yards.

O'Hara had three saves in 84 minutes before giving way to senior Roger Wimmer to complete the contest.

The Patriots return to Fairfax to host the George Mason/Comfort Inn Soccer Classic on Friday and Sunday, Sept. 5 and 7. James Madison will meet Georgia Southern at 5 p.m. Friday before Mason faces Appalachian State at 7:30 p.m. at George Mason Stadium, then the Dukes will play Appalachian State Sunday at 12 p.m. before the Patriots take the field against Appalachian State at 2:30 p.m.

GAME SUMMARY

				1	2	FINAL
Stony Brook (0-2)		0	0	0
George Mason (2-0)		0	4	4

GOALS:	        SB - None
(Assists)	GMU - Steve Alabi (PK), 60:20; Alabi (PK), 62:20;
                      Karim Manneh (Alabi), 67:46; Manneh (Alabi/John O'Hara), 68:57
SHOTS:		SB - 4
		GMU - 18
SAVES:		SB - Dan Ferrin - 3 (62:20); Matt Thibdeau - 0 (28:40)
		GMU - John O'Hara - 3 (84 minutes); Roger Wimmer - 0 (6 minutes)
CORNERS:	SB - 3
		GMU - 3
FOULS:		SB - 19
		GMU - 25
CAUTIONS:	SB - Shane Arikian (33rd)
		GMU - Anthony Noreiga (5th), Teba McKnight (19th), Matt Mendy (42nd)
EJECTIONS:	SB - Rob Yturraspe (61st), Dan Ferrin (63rd)
		GMU - None