Aug. 6, 2004

Fairfax, Va.--George Mason men's soccer team is slated to play 19 regular season games for the 2004 campaign as announced by head coach Fran O'Leary. Included in the mix, are five 2003 NCAA College Cup participants and a competitive Colonial Athletic Association schedule. The Patriots open up the season with a home game against Longwood (Sept. 3) and the following week host their own Mason/Comfort Inn Classic to be held at George Mason Field. The Patriots will face Santa Clara (Sept. 10), which lost in the semifinal game of the NCAA College Cup last season and will next compete against Robert Morris (Sept. 12). Loyola (Md.) will also be competing in the Classic. Mason is then on the road for four-straight contests, including playing at the St. John's Tournament where the Patriots will face two NCAA participants from last year in St. Louis (Sept. 17) and Seton Hall (Sept. 19). Next up will be George Washington (Sept. 25), along with Penn State (Sept. 28). "We have a very competitive schedule," said O'Leary. "I think early on in the season will be a good test as to where we stack up to the elite level teams. Our non-conference games will leave us well prepared for the rigors of the conference schedule." Conference play opens at home on Oct. 1 against Delaware and the Patriots will then host five-straight games on their own turf. A re-match of the CAA Championship game is slated for Oct. 10 when the defending league champion, Virginia Commonwealth, faces the Patriots at George Mason Field. After two non-conference games against Liberty and Radford, Mason is on the road for the remainder of October, including a visit to Norfolk where the Patriots will face NCAA participant, Old Dominion (Oct. 24). Mason's final game of the regular season is against James Madison on Nov. 5 in Fairfax. The CAA Tournament First Round is slated to be played at the highest seed on Nov. 9, with the semifinals (Nov. 12) and championship games (Nov. 14), will be played at a to be determined site.