Sept. 27, 2006

The George Mason women's soccer team will play its first home Colonial Athletic Association games of the 2006 season this weekend as the Patriots will host UNC Wilmington at 7 p.m. on Friday and Georgia State at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

The Patriots enter the weekend 3-6-1 with an 0-2 mark in CAA play. Mason has been beset by injuries since opening the season with a 3-1-1 mark. Mason lost junior midfielder Jessica Paris for the season due to a knee injury and her replacement in the starting lineup, Mary Raveia, suffered a season-ending knee injury in Mason's next contest. Forward Annie Lebherz also is out for the year with a knee injury suffered prior to Mason's CAA opener at Northeastern last weekend.

Despite the struggles of late, Mason has still had excellent production this season from forward Rachel Wiggins, who has four goals and two assists. The Patriots also have gotten strong play from a number of younger players, including freshman Leslie Cabe, Sasha Vido, Patti Benner and Hannah Sklar.

The Seahawks will put three players on the field with three goals each. Kelly Renkin and Erica Rogers each have three goals and an assist while Ashley Church has three goals.

On Sunday, Mason will face a Panthers squad with a very similar record as Georgia State is 3-5-3 on the season. The Panthers are winless in their past four matches, falling to Georgia, tying Jacksonville and James Madison, and losing to Virginia Commonwealth. The Panthers have been outscored 15-10 on the season.

Nathalie Carter leads the Panthers with five goals and an assist while Kay Harbrueger has two goals and an assist. Amber Collins-Cephers leads the team with two goals.

Despite being hit hard by injuries, the Patriots have managed to play well at home this year. Mason is 2-1-0 at George Mason Stadium, outscoring the opposition 6-2 on the season at home.