Dec. 8, 2005
Fairfax, Va.--George Mason University senior defender Anthony Noreiga (San Fernando, Trinidad) has been selected to participate to the Major League Soccer (MLS) Player Combine Jan. 12-15, 2006 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. This marks the second-straight year in which someone represented Mason at the Combine as former goalkeeper John O'Hara participated last season.
"I am excited for this opportunity because I am now one step closer to achieving my goal of becoming a professional soccer player," said Noreiga. "Mason has had some past success in players turning professional, which is a testament to the quality of soccer here at George Mason."
Noreiga was tabbed as the 2005 Colonial Athletic Association Defender of the Year after he anchored a Patriot defense that recorded five shutouts during the season, including four in conference play. Mason limited seven of the 11 conference foes to one goal or less. A three-year starter, Noreiga scored his fourth career goal and his lone goal of the 2005 campaign in Mason's season-opening 3-2 win at Liberty (Sept. 2). A member of the U23 Trinidadian National Team, Noreiga was named to the adidas/Brown Classic All-Tournament Team on Sept. 11 in Providence, R.I. and this marks Noreiga's first postseason conference honor in his three-year career at Mason.
This list of Combine participants was selected by a panel of Division I coaches representing all conferences. The college coaches nominated and voted for players in conjunction with MLS coaches. The complete list can be found at mlsnet.com.
The coaching staffs and general managers of all 12 MLS teams will attend the combine to scout talent before making their SuperDraft selections at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia on Friday, Jan. 20. Of the 48 players chosen in last year's draft, 39 had participated in the combine the week before.
"Anthony has a fantastic opportunity to compete with a select group of outstanding players at the MLS Combine and realize his dream of becoming a professional soccer player," said George Mason head coach Greg Andrulis, who is a former MLS head coach with the Columbus Crew.
"He had a tremendous season and what Anthony has contributed on and off the field gives Mason a reason to be proud of this outstanding young man. We believe Anthony can compete at the highest level, and become a very successful professional player."
Since 1985, a total of 31 former Mason players have moved on to play professionally or for their national teams. There are two former Patriots who are currently active in the MLS in Rich Kotschau and Denis Hamlett. Kotschau became the first Mason player to be selected in the MLS collegiate draft and currently plays with the Columbus Crew, while Hamlett is the Player Personnel Director and an assistant coach with the Chicago Fire.
