Feb. 22, 2006

Fairfax, Va.--George Mason University's head men's soccer coach Greg Andrulis has announced that two student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to play for George Mason University, starting in the 2006 season.

The athletes are Matt Arrington (D/MF, 5-10, 165, Bethesda, Md./Walt Whitman) and Richard Stone (MF, 5-9, 160, Mullica Hill, N.J./St. Augustine Prep).

Arrington earned three varsity letters in soccer at Walt Whitman and will graduate in June. In 2005, Arrington earned numerous honors for his efforts on the soccer field, which include being named a Washington Post All-Met Honorable Mention. In his junior year, Arrington garnered First Team Montgomery County Gazette honors, as well as a first team all-county nod, which is voted on by area coaches. The Bethesda native served as team captain in 2005 and was also named to the All-Maryland Second Team.

Arrington closed out his high school career with six goals, all of which were free kicks and one was a game-winning shot his senior year, and 16 assists. He played with the Bethesda Legend for two years, is part of the Bethesda Soccer Club and was part of the Olney Rovers squad for five seasons.

"Matt is a terrific young man with exceptional potential at the next level," said Andrulis. "He is unique in that as a defender he has the ability to produce goals due to his free kick ability and is also an experienced player as he has had success as a club player and at the high school level."

Stone is a four-year varsity letterwinner from St. Augustine Prep and will graduate in June. The Hermits were crowned New Jersey State Champions his senior season and were also Cape Atlantic League Champions the same year, as well as the previous season. He garnered Third Team All-New Jersey and First Team All-Parochial honors in 2005, as well as Star Ledger Third Team honors. Stone was also named to the First Team All-South Jersey, Vineland Daily Journal's First Team and the Cape Atlantic League First Team senior year. In 2004, Stone was named to the Second Team All-Parochial by the Courier Post, earned Second Team AC Press honors and also garnered First Team Cape Atlantic League honors.

Stone closed out his high school playing career with 33 goals, as well as 55 assists and led the Hermits in helpers his senior season with 26. He was on the New Jersey ODP squad 2002, 2003, as well as 2005 and was also a member of the Harrison Soccer Club (six years) and played with the South Jersey Barons (six years).

"Rich is a very successful student-athlete with experience as a New Jersey ODP player and a member of his high school's Dean's List," stated Andrulis. "As an attacking player, Rich possesses an uncanny vision and the ability to finish chances himself, as well as set his teammates up. He has a rich soccer background as he has competed regularly for the state championship in high school, was a regular member of New Jersey's ODP state team, and also being a member of the very successful South Jersey Barons and AC Diablos soccer clubs."