Feb. 13, 2008
George Mason women's soccer head coach Diane Drake has announced the signing of five players to National Letters-of-Intent and they will begin play for the Patriots in the fall of 2008. Alyssa Anderson of Smithtown (N.Y.) H.S. West, Zania Barnum of St. John's (D.C.) College H.S., Melissa Mailey of Briar Woods H.S., Jordan McDonald of Paul VI H.S. and Kelly Thomas of Walnut Hills (Ohio) H.S. make up the core of the recruiting class. Also joining the Patriots in 2008 will be Mackenzie King, who has already enrolled at Mason after graduating early from North Stafford H.S.
"This talented 2008 class gives us the well-needed pace we have been missing," Drake said.
Anderson, an outside midfielder/defender played four years of varsity soccer and was a starter on the three-time division champs and two-time county finalist. She played for the Eastern Meadow Shooting Starts which won the Eastern New York State Cup title in 2003 and 2005. The shooting stars were the Regional Premiere Division Champions in 2007 and the USYSA Snickers Reigino Finalist in 2005. She also spent four years on the H.S. honor roll.
"Alyssa is a versatile wide true-left-sided player with very good pace and a competitive spirit," Drake said. "We are excited to watch her mature on the field with the talent surrounding her."
Barnum, a forward/midfielder played four seasons of varsity soccer and was a starter on the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference 2007 championship team. She was selected Washington Post All-Met and first-team All-Conference. She played club soccer for the Freestate Shooters where she played defender, midfielder and forward. She's also a member of the Maryland State Olympic Development Program.
"Zania is a fantastic target with her back to the goal and we will be looking to her to make an immediate impact on our team, "Drake said. "Having said that, she has the pace, deception and the versatility to play on any line if needed. Z's witty and free-spirited demeanor are fantastic traits for someone of such ability. She will keep us all laughing when we need a little lift."
Mailey, a goalkeeper, was a team MVP and a three-year captain and she was named All-State, All-Region and All-District, recording 369 saves in her career. She played club soccer for the McLean Freedom, the #1 ranked team in the nation. She started in the USYSA Snickers National Championship as the Freedom went on to win the National Championship. She was a member of the Virginia State Olympic Development Team and a four-year member of the honor roll and a two-year member of the National Honor Society.
"Melissa brings a winning mentality from her very intense club environment," Drake said. "Obviously, any time you can get a battle-tested goalkeeper of Melissa's pedigree, you are in great shape. We cannot wait to see how she develops in the college game."
McDonald, a three-sport athlete, played four years of soccer, four years of track and three years of basketball while earning her school's Panther Award. A four-year starter, team captain and team MVP, she was selected to the All-WCAC second team. She won state titles in the 800-meters and 4 X 800-meters and she participated in the Penn Relays on three occasions. A member of the Vista Hotshots, her team was a finalist for the Virginia Snickers USYSA State Cup. McDonald was also a two-time member of the Honor Roll and a two-time member of the National Honor Society.
"Jordan is a complete athlete who can play both wide midfield and wide back effectively," Drake said. "She has a quiet, unassuming work ethic that inspires those around her. Her fitness basing is top notch."
Thomas, a 6-foot, 2-inch defender/midfielder was a three-sport athlete in soccer, basketball and track. She was a four-year starter on the soccer team, winning Conference Player of the Year in 2007 and first-team All-Conference in 2006. She was a three-time All-City Honorable Mention in soccer, as well as All-City Honorable Mention in basketball. In track, she was All-State and a two-time Nike All-American. She played club soccer for the Cincinnati Cardinals and she was a two-time member of the Walnut Hills Academic Honor Roll.
"Kelly is not just a special athlete who has excelled in three sports, she is probably the fastest player to ever be in the Mason Women's Soccer Program," Drake said. "Her commitment to excellence, and concentration for the first time on just one sport, coupled with the talent around her, I suspect will make her an instant success in the college atmosphere."
King, a midfielder, played three years of soccer and one year of field hockey at North Stafford. She was named All-District three times and was the team captain. She played soccer for the Richmond Strikers and was a member of the Virginia State Olympic Development Program. She was also recruited by Alabama, William & Mary, Old Dominion, James Madison, Harvard, Brown, West Point, Air Force, St. Bonaventure and East Tennessee, among others.
"Max had tremendous balance and agility with the ball at her feet," Drake said. "She is a fierce competitor and because she is already enrolled at George Mason, she will grow tremendously this spring, priming her for the fall season."
These signees may not be the only new players contributing in 2008. "We also have several key recruited walk-ons that are very diverse and unique in their abilities who will balance an already strong core of veteran players," Drake said. "We are very excited for the fall season."
