Sept. 30, 2003

FAIRFAX, VA ... George Mason and nationally ranked North Carolina dueled valiantly all night and played to a 0-0 tie in double overtime in a non-conference men's college soccer game Tuesday at George Mason Stadium.

George Mason is unbeaten in its last two games as it posted its fifth shutout of the season (second in a row) while seeing its record go to 5-3-2. North Carolina (ranked fifth by the NSCAA and sixth by Soccer America, SoccerTimes.com and College Soccer News) remained unbeaten in its last three games as it moved to 7-1-2.

Both defenses dominated play in the first half of regulation, but the two offenses got going after intermission. Two minutes into the second half, George Mason junior Matt Mendy gathered a pass at the top of the penalty area, turned and fired a shot, but North Carolina freshman goalkeeper Justin Hughes made a sprawling save with his leg. The Tar Heels had two solid opportunities later in the half as junior Ray Fumo's free kick bounced over the defense and hit the right post in the 64th minute, then freshman Wes Shull's 35-yard free kick in the 80th minute went off the top of the crossbar.

North Carolina nearly ended the game in the first minute of the first overtime period. Freshman Jamie Watson sent a cross from the left side and junior Marcus Storey flicked it with his head over Patriot junior goalkeeper John O'Hara toward the right post. At the goalline, Mason sophomore Anthony Noreiga cleared the ball away to prevent the Tar Heel victory.

Hughes finished the night with four saves for North Carolina, while O'Hara had two saves for the Patriots. George Mason held a 9-8 advantage in shots.

George Mason continues a four-game homestand this weekend as it opens its Colonial Athletic Association schedule. Hofstra visits Friday at 7 p.m. and Drexel comes calling Sunday at 1 p.m.

GAME SUMMARY

					1	2	10T	2OT	F
North Carolina (7-1-2)			0	0	0	0	0
George Mason (5-3-2)			0	0	0	0	0

GOALS:	        UNC - None
(Assists)	GMU -None
SHOTS:		UNC - 8
		GMU - 9
SAVES:		UNC - Justin Hughes - 4 (110 minutes)
		GMU - John O'Hara - 2 (110 minutes)
CORNERS:	UNC - 7
		GMU - 4
FOULS:		UNC - 14
		GMU - 21
CAUTIONS:	UNC - Andrew Rhea (63:16)
		GMU - Karim Manneh (4:31), Matt Mendy (66:59), Teba McKnight (80:36), Neema Doroudian (109:17)
EJECTIONS:	UNC - None
		GMU - Danny Climo (109:52)