Feb. 27, 2004

FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason women's lacrosse begins its 2004 season at home Sunday against North Carolina at 1 p.m. at GMU Stadium, marking the second consecutive season that the Patriots have started the year with a game in February.

"I'm very excited that we're finally starting the season," expressed Patriot head coach Amy Umbach. "The team has been really looking forward to getting out on to the field and competing against someone other than themselves. It's great to have a quality program like North Carolina as your first game, because you really get to see how good you are right from the start."

The Patriots start the season as a team receiving votes in the preseason Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches (IWLCA) Poll. The Tar Heels, who open their season Friday at UMBC, are listed No. 11.

George Mason returns several key elements from last year's 9-8 team that advanced to the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament for the 10th straight season and tied the school record for wins. Leading the way will be junior goalkeeper and IWLCA All-South Region selection Meg Dentler (Crofton, MD/Arundel). Also returning is junior attacker Kristy Manas (Harwood, MD/Southern) and senior midfielder Lisa Hagan (Collingswood, NJ/Collingswood), both of whom were named to the All-CAA second team.

Overall, George Mason returns 14 letterwinners and 10 starters from a year ago. The Patriots 2004 schedule includes eight teams ranked in the Preseason IWLCA Top 20 poll.