May 27, 2004

Fairfax, Va.--George Mason University's head men's soccer coach Fran O'Leary has announced that eight student-athletes have committed to attend and play for George Mason University, starting the 2004 season.

The athletes include Christopher Allen (GK, 6-3, 190, Corning, N.Y./Corning East), Dan Ames (F, 5-10, 170, Livonia, N.Y./Livonia), Elon Backer (MF, 5-10, 160, Delmar, N.Y./Bethlehem Central), Eric Barnes (GK, 5-10, 165, Aiken, S.C./South Aiken), Brian Barry-Austin (D, 6-1, 165, S. Orange, N.J./Columbia), Jeremy Jessup (GK, 5-10, 170, Lockport, N.Y./Lockport), Adam Lobene (D, 6-1, 180, Rochester, N.Y./Gates Chili) and Jordan Mault (F/MF, 5-8, 150, Goshen, Ind./Goshen).

"We are delighted to welcome the class of 2007 to George Mason University," said O'Leary. "We are excited by the potential in this class and are confident that several of them will compete for playing time early in their collegiate career."

Christopher Allen (GK, 6-3, 190, Corning, N.Y./Corning East)

Three year varsity letterwinner in soccer...made 231 saves, allowed 52 goals and posted three shutouts at Corning junior year...was an all-Southern Tier Athletic Conference honorable mention sophomore season...played six years with the Corning United Soccer Club (1998-03) and was on the Soaring Capitals Soccer Club U-17 Premier Team for two years (2002 & 2004)...earned the Outstanding Achievement in Chemistry award (2003).

Dan Ames (F, 5-10, 170, Livonia, N.Y./Livonia)

Played five years varsity soccer at Livonia...named first team All-Livingston County last three years...collected 112 career goals and 94 assists at Livonia...amassed 39 assists in 2001, which set a New York state record for a single season...first team All-Greater Rochester 2001-03...named Livingson County Player of the Year and was a member of the all-state team senior season...member of the NSCAA regional team in 2003...played for club team Rochester Jr. Rhinos (1997-04), 85 New York State West ODP team (1999-03) and Region I Pool (2002, 2003)...on the High Honor Roll for three years...also earned two varsity letters in wrestling and one in track.

Elon Backer (MF, 5-10, 160, Delmar, N.Y./Bethlehem Central)

Four-year varsity letterwinner in soccer...the Eagles were Class A Section II Champions in 2000 and 2002...team captain senior year...member of the Section II Second Team in 2003..."Who's Who Among American Students"...played on club team Blackwatch S.C. (2000-03).

Eric Barnes (GK, 5-10, 165, Aiken, S.C./South Aiken)

All-State selection in 2004...plays for the Greenville Futbol Club (GFC) 85 Black U-18...GFC was state champions in its category and Region III Premier League runner-up...named MVP at the Tampa Bay Sun Bowl...earned the U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award (2004)...Presbyterian College Junior Fellow...recognized as a Wofford, Lander Junior and Augusta State Scholar...earned the South Carolina Honors Achievement Award...member of the National Honor Society, as well as Mu Alpha Theta...four-year varsity letterwinner in soccer...earned one varsity letter in track and field junior year.

Brian Barry-Austin (D, 6-1, 165, S. Orange, N.J./Columbia)

Captain of the 2003 varsity team at Columbia...three time varsity letterwinner...2003 ODP state pool...earned all-area honors in 2002...named best defensive player three years (2003, 2002 & 2000)...on the Coaches Association all-state team senior season...Essex County all-stars sophomore year...National Achievement Scholar outstanding participant in 2004.

Jeremy Jessup (GK, 5-10, 170, Lockport, N.Y./Lockport)

Earned four varsity letters in soccer at Lockport...named captain for two years...set school career records (2000-03) for most shutouts with 29 and an overall career record of 30-6-3...amassed 14 shutouts both junior and senior years for a single-season school record...posted a 16-1-2 record as a goalkeeper in 2002 for a Lion record...Lockport was New York State Section VI Champions in 2002...with the New York State West ODP from 1998-03...played for Region I ODP Pool in 2003...named first team all-western NY junior and senior seasons...earned first team all-state honors in 2003...played for the College Athlete Program (CAP) All-American team for two years (2000, 01); named captain in 2001...plays club for Syracuse Blitz Blizzard, which was national indoor champion in 2001, Capital Cup champion in 2002 and Super 'Y' League Great Lakes champion...member of the National Honor Society...earned the Hoby Leadership Award...attended the National Federation of High Schools Student Leadership conference...on the NSCAA All-Region team and the NSCAA All-Region Scholar team in 2003...played basketball for two years at Lockport.

Adam Lobene (D, 6-1, 180, Rochester, N.Y./Gates Chili)

Amassed 25 career goals and 35 assists at Gates Chili...two-year captain (2003-04)...member of the 2003 all-state team...Class A State Chmpionship (2003)...2003 State Tournament MVP....Section V Tournament MVP senior season...two-year all-county...first team All-Greater Rochester in 2003...led the Rochester Junior Rhinos in scoring from 1999-03...led club team to state championship...on the honor roll for four years...earned the scholar athlete award.

Jordan Mault (F/MF, 5-8, 150, Goshen, Ind./Goshen)

Stands first in Goshen's record books with 30 career goals and second in assists with 14...four year varsity letterwinner in soccer...named to the Northern Lakes all-conference team three years...earned the Northern Indiana Outstanding Achievement Award in 2003...earned all-state second team honors senior season and third team honors in 2002...served as team captain senior year...played on the Indiana State ODP Team in 2002 and 2003...plays for the PDL Indiana Invaders...recognized as a Kiwanis Scholar all four years.