April 20, 2005

FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason's women's lacrosse team (5-9, 4-2 CAA) hosts Colonial Athletic Association rival James Madison (7-7, 2-4 CAA) Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at George Mason Stadium. The contest marks the final home game of the season for Mason, which will honor its six seniors prior to the start of the match.

The Patriots, who are 2-6 at home this season, are winners of two of their last five games and four of their last seven. Mason has already clinched a spot in the CAA Tournament that begins Apr. 30 at top-seeded Hofstra. Mason owns the league's longest streak of consecutive tournament appearances, entering the championships for the 12th straight time.

Should the Patriots defeat the Dukes Thursday, they would finish in a tie for second place with Towson with a 5-2 league mark. The Tigers would gain the tie-breaker for the #2 seed as Towson topped Mason 8-6 on April 8. A second-place tie for the Patriots would mark its highest-ever CAA regular season finish, and five conference wins in a season would also be a school record.

A Patriots loss would place Mason in a third place tie with Delaware at 4-3. The Patriots would gain the tie-breaker for the #3 seed as Mason defeated Delaware 11-8 on April 10. Mason last owned the No. 3 seed in the tournament back in 2003.

Junior attacker Sarah Bryant (Fairfax Station, Va.) leads the Patriots in scoring with 25 goals, five assists and 30 points. Senior attacker Kristy Manas (Harwood, Md.) is second with 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points.

James Madison, which won four of its first five games of the season, has dropped six of its last nine contests. Kelly Berger (36G, 14A, 50Pts) and Jessica Brownridge (19G, 14A, 33Pts) pace the Dukes, who are 2-2 on the road this year, in scoring.

Prior to the start of Thursday's game, the Patriots will honor seniors Manas, Meg Dentler, Brandi Evans, Jeannine Ohler, Amanda Thornburg, and Tracy Waterson for their contributions to the program as part of "Senior Night" celebrations.