Dec. 16, 2004
2004 WOMEN'S SOCCER SEASON IN REVIEW
Various adjustments were made at the start of the season for the 2004 George Mason women's soccer team. Most notably, was the adjustment of first-year head coach Diane Drake to a whole new crop of players, a new coaching staff and a new conference. For the players, the adjustment was also to a new coaching staff as well as a new system and an influx of new talent.
One adjustment that wasn't necessary was the ability for the women's soccer team to continue to excel on the field and provide Patriot fans with compelling matches and stellar play. Drake and her coaching staff demonstrated this by leading George Mason to a 10-7-3 overall record, six shut outs and a third-place tie in the Colonial Athletic Association standings at 5-2-2, going unbeaten in seven of its final eight games.
Mason participated in the CAA Tournament for the 10th consecutive year, earning the No. 5 seed due to tie-breaking procedures. During the season, Drake earned her 50th career head coaching win and improved her overall record to 55-51-9 in six seasons.
Drake won her Mason head coaching debut with a 2-0 home victory over Miami and then tied Navy to start the season at 1-0-1. But, the Patriots stumbled in their next three contests, falling to 1-3-1, as the team continued to adjust to the varying changes. Drake snapped the skid with an emotional 3-1 win over her former team Georgetown, which she coached from 1999-2003. A loss at No. 4 Virginia was followed by three straight wins as the Patriots began to build confidence in each other and the new system. The third win in the stretch was a 1-0 overtime victory at Liberty that gave Drake her 50th career coaching victory.
Entering conference play at 5-4-1, Mason took an early league hit on the road with back-to-back losses to fall to 0-2 in the CAA and 5-6-1 overall. The Patriots regrouped to earn a 1-1 double-overtime tie against James Madison - the first of three straight double OT games - and remained unbeaten in their next six contests, including dramatic victories at Hofstra (3-2 in double overtime) and versus Va. Commonwealth (3-2) to secure a spot in the CAA Tournament with their 5-2-2 league record and 10-6-3 mark. Mason saw its unbeaten streak and season come to an end after a 1-0 loss at fourth-seeded James Madison in the first round of the tournament.
Several postseason honors were bestowed upon Mason players at the conclusion of the year. Senior goalkeeper Sarah Coughlin was chosen the CAA Defender of the Year and garnered all-CAA first team accolades for the second consecutive season. She was also named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Mid-Atlantic all-Region third team. Coughlin exits the team ranked second in Mason in history in career saves (353) and goalkeeper minutes played. Playing behind a defense that often included two or three freshmen at times, Coughlin finished with a 1.48 goals-against average and a 71.9 save percentage. She made 64 saves, allowed 25 goals and posted three shutouts en route to an 8-6-3 overall record.
Three other players were named second-team all-CAA. The list included senior forward Sarah Wilkinson, senior midfielder Allison Cowan, and junior midfielder Danielle MacDonald. Wilkinson, who was also an NSCAA third-team Mid-Atlantic all-Region selection, led George Mason in goals scored (9), assists (6) and points (24). She also posted four game-winning markers. Cowan totaled two goals and one assist for five points and garnered CAA all-tournament team recognition. MacDonald finished third on the squad in scoring with three goals, five assists and 11 points, scoring the game-winning goal at Hofstra.
Two freshmen featured prominently in the starting lineup throughout the season. Forward Sarah Fack and defender Jessica Paris both saw time in all 20 games and both were named to the CAA all-Rookie team. Fack started 15 games and ranked second on the team in scoring with 12 points (5G, 2A); she also had three game-winners. Paris, who was one of two players to start every contest, posted 10 points (4G, 2A) and scored the game-winner against Va. Commonwealth.
Other athletes among the starting lineup include sophomore L.J. Williams, who made 15 starts in 17 appearances at midfield, totaling two goals and three assists for seven points. Junior Amy Sorenson saw action in every game with 19 starts. She registered two markers and had one assist. Amy Alecci, a junior midfielder, also started each contest and logged four points (1G, 2A). Also in the lineup were freshman defender Laura Salichs (1G, 11 starts), junior defender Kristin Portell (1A, 19 starts) and sophomore defender Amanda Schmidt (13 starts).
Several players came off the bench to make solid contributions, both offensively and defensively. Senior forward Dianna Russini appeared in 19 contests, earning three starts, and recorded three scores, while Rachel Wiggins, a freshman forward, saw action in 20 games, starting four, and had three assists. Sophomore defender Kristine Gray posted two assists in three starts and 15 appearances. Senior midfielder Franmarie Gregg also had an assist. She saw action in 16 contests with two starts.
Freshman Alison Feldman appeared in 18 matches on defense with six starts and totaled one assist. Reserve goalkeeper Olivia Brown filled in admirably during Coughlin's two-game injury absence. The sophomore saw action in seven contests with two starts, earning a 2-1-0 record with a shut out. She made 24 saves and allowed four goals for a 1.00 GAA and an 85.7 save percentage. Sophomore midfielder Jaime Daulton (5 games) and freshman forward S.F. Look (2 games) also made appearances.
