Sept. 2, 2003
RICHMOND, VA ... George Mason University sophomore forward Steve Alabi of the men's soccer team has been selected as the co-Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week. The award is for accomplishments from Aug. 29-31, and it is the first time Alabi has been so honored. He shares the award with Virginia Commonwealth senior McColm Cephas.
A 5-8, 150-pound native of Rotherham, England, Alabi had an outstanding start to his 2003 season as he had a hand in each of George Mason's five goals over the weekend. The Patriots won their first two games of the season at the JMU/Comfort Inn Invitational in Harrisonburg, VA, edging Charlotte on Friday, 1-0, and defeating Stony Brook on Sunday, 4-0.
Alabi scored Mason's lone goal in the victory over Charlotte, then he posted his third multi-goal game in the first 14 contests of his career by converting two penalty kicks and adding two assists as the Patriots ran past Stony Brook. His three goals and eight points lead the CAA this week, and he is tied for the league lead with two assists.
A second-team All-CAA selection last year as a freshman, Alabi led the Patriots with eight goals and 17 points, adding one assist, despite playing in just 12 games. He was forced to miss the first six games of the campaign as stipulated by the NCAA in regards to eligibility issues related to his international playing background, but he posted a hat trick vs. Delaware and added two goals at James Madison to provide a spark to the George Mason offense. For his career, he has 11 goals and three assists for 25 points.
The Patriots open their home schedule as they host the George Mason/Comfort Inn Soccer Classic this weekend at George Mason Stadium. James Madison (2-0) opens the tournament against Georgia Southern (0-2) Friday at 5 p.m. before Mason (2-0) faces Appalachian State (0-1) at 7:30 p.m., then the Dukes and Patriots trade opponents Sunday as JMU takes on Appalachian State at 12 p.m. and the Patriots meet Georgia Southern at 2:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for youth/senior citizens each day.
