Aug. 31, 2007

The George Mason women's soccer team will open the 2007 season on Friday as the Patriots take on Rider at 3 p.m. in a tournament at Hartford, Conn. The tournament, hosted by the University of Hartford, will also pit Mason against Harvard on Sunday at 11 a.m.

The Patriots have high expectations for the season. After an 8-9-2 campaign last year, Mason returns 10 starts and 100% percent of its offense. Mason had six shutouts in 2006 and finished the season with a pair of wins and a tie. The Patriots will look to make it a four-match unbeaten streak on Friday.

Rider was 6-8-3 last season, and it also recorded six shutouts on the year. The Broncos return eight starters. Among those starters is Stephanie Madden, who led the team in points and scoring each of the past two years. Mason's Rachel Wiggins led the Patriots in points and scoring each of the past two years as well.