Feb. 5, 2008

RICHMOND, Va. - The George Mason women's lacrosse team was picked to finish in fifth place in the Colonial Athletic Association with a total of 23 points, according to a vote of the conference's eight head coaches. James Madison received six first-place votes, totaling 48 points, while Delaware received one first-place vote and was second with 40 points.

Hofstra was third with 38 points and Towson received the other first-place vote to finish fourth with 28 points. William and Mary (20), Old Dominion (17) and Drexel (10) finished behind Mason in the poll.

The Patriots will field a young team in 2008, featuring 12 newcomers - 11 freshmen and a junior transfer. That transfer, Alana Chan, comes to the team with experience on the Canadian National Team and is expected to make an immediate impact on the field after earning First-Team All-MAAC (2005 and 2006) and MAAC Defender of the Year (2005) honors during her two seasons at Canisius College.

While the newcomers will provide an immediate spark, Mason will count on its senior class of four to provide veteran leadership. Attacker Laura King, an IWLCA Second-Team All-South, First-Team All-CAA and Second-Team VaSID All-Virginia selection in 2007, is poised to close out her career with another outstanding season. King is tied for second in career goals and fifth in career points in school history heading into her final season.

The Patriots will play their first game on Feb. 23 against Johns Hopkins at George Mason Stadium. The 2008 CAA Championship starts on May 2 at the highest seed with the championship game scheduled for May 4. Hofstra defeated James Madison in last year's championship game, 15-13.