After what might be considered sub-par seasons the past two years, George Mason returned to its winning ways in 2003. Under 12th-year head coach
Jac Cicala, the Patriots found the formula they needed to succeed, going unbeaten in 10 of their first 12 games en route to a 9-6-6 overall record and a sixth-place showing in the Colonial Athletic Association at 3-3-3. George Mason set a school record with six ties in 2003 and went to overtime in nine games, posting a 3-0-6 mark. Mason participated in the CAA Tournament for the ninth consecutive season and advanced to the semifinals for the fourth straight year and eighth time overall. Already the program's all-time winningest mentor in school history, Cicala improved his coaching record at Mason to 139-93-22.
George Mason started the year with back-to-back wins and went unbeaten in its first four contests - three of which went to overtime - to hold down a 3-0-1 mark. The Patriots then dropped two of their next three games, having been outscored 5-1 during that span, and entered into their CAA slate with a 3-2-2 record.
The conference portion of the schedule helped get the Patriots back on track as Mason reeled off four victories with wins over William & Mary, James Madison and Villanova, and went unbeaten in five games, improving its mark to 7-2-3 on the year. Three straight wins to end the stretch, however, were followed by three consecutive losses as the Patriots found themselves unable to get their offense going. Mason went winless in its next six games, falling to 7-6-5 and 2-3-2 in the CAA, and was out scored 9-2.
Needing a solid showing against league-leading Hofstra and Drexel to keep alive their hunt for a tournament berth, the Patriots managed a 1-1 overtime tie with the Pride and a 3-2 victory in regulation over the Dragons to end the regular season 3-3-3 in the league and 8-6-5 on the season. With a little help, George Mason secured a berth in the CAA Tournament as the No. 6 seed. Seizing the opportunity, Mason rallied to topple the third-seeded Blue Hens on the road, 2-1, in a CAA quarterfinal match and battled No. 2 seed Virginia Commonwealth to a scoreless double overtime tie in the semifinals after falling to the Rams 3-0 during the regular season. VCU, however, would move on to the finals after claiming a 4-3 edge in penalty kicks.
Several honors were bestowed upon Mason players throughout the season. Junior goalkeeper Sarah Coughlin (Hawthorne, NY), a UNCG/adidas Classic all-tournament team selection, was named to the all-CAA first team and received first-team all-Virginia accolades from the Virginia College Sports Information Directors. The starting goalie for every Patriot contest, Coughlin posted a 1.04 goals-against average and allowed 23 goals in 2000 minutes. Her 109 saves was the third highest total for a single season and she registered 5.5 shutouts. For her efforts, Coughlin was also selected to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and Soccer Buzz first-team Mid-Atlantic All-Region teams.
Junior forward Sarah Wilkinson (Lincoln University, PA) and sophomore midfielder Amy Alecci (Cockeysville, MD) provided a solid 1-2 scoring punch for George Mason. Wilkinson led Mason in scoring with five goals and three assists for 13 points. She started 16 of 21 games and registered two game-winners, while Alecci, who also had two game-winners, appeared in 12 games with 17 starts, netting five goals and two assists for 12 points. Junior forward Dianna Russini (Old Tappan, NJ) started 11 of 20 games, recording nine points (4G, 1A). She led the Patriots with three game-winning scores. Junior midfielder Allison Cowan (Shorewood, MN) connected on one goal and three assists for five points after starting 20 of 21 games played.
Coughlin, sophomore midfielder Amy Sorenson (Albuquerque, NM), senior defender Cara Patton (Penfield, NY) and senior midfielder Becky Ragard (Hockessin, DE) were the only Patriots to start every game last season. Sorenson posted four points and was named to the UNCG/adidas Classic all-tournament team, while Patton, who totaled one point on the season, received CAA all-tournament team honors. Sophomore forward Danielle MacDonald (Burke, VA) contributed four points in 15 starts and 21 appearances. Sophomore Kristin Portell (Woodbridge, VA) (1G, 1A) and senior Jennifer Orr (Fountain Valley, CA) (1G), both defenders, each received all-tournament accolades as Portell was selected to the UNCG/adidas team and Orr earned CAA team honors. Senior defender Pamela Kent (Woodbridge, VA), who played in 19 games with four starts, also saw significant action.
Freshman Lauren Podvin (West Chester, OH) established herself in the Patriot lineup, seeing action in 21 games with 13 starts and scoring a goal. Other freshmen who played significant roles include midfielder L.J. Williams (Fairfax Station, VA) with one assist in 20 appearances and four starts, midfielder Heather Bourne (Fairfax, VA) (19 games, 4 starts), forward Kristine Gray (Stafford, VA) (1A, 15 games, 2 starts), forward Jaime Daulton (Chesterfield, VA) (1A, 9 games, 1 start) and goalkeeper Olivia Brown (Des Moines, WA) (2 games).
Junior forward Franmarie Gregg (Fairfax, VA) came off the bench to soundly contribute to the Patriots' offense, recording two assists in 12 appearances. Freshman forward Rachel Wiggins (Acworth, GA) scored one goal and two assists in two games before being sidelined with an injury. Freshman midfielder Neda Keshani (Potomac, MD) also appeared in two contests.
