Aug. 12, 2008

CHESAPEAKE BEACH, Md. - Maggie Bridges (Fairfax, Va./Paul VI) and Alex Velesz (Woodbridge, Va./Paul VI) were recognized for their success in the classroom when the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) announced its annual Division I Academic Honor Roll. A total of 21 George Mason student-athletes have earned the award since the 1998 season.

Bridges, who is a rising senior majoring in biology at George Mason, is a three-time CAA Commissioner's Academic Award recipient. She also is a Dean's List student and has been honored as a George Mason Scholar-Athlete. A two-time First-Team All-CAA selection, Bridges earned CAA Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2008 after causing a career-high 22 turnovers and ranking second on the team in ground balls. Bridges was named Second-Team IWLCA All-South Region for her role on a Patriots' defense that ranked sixth in the nation in caused turnovers and seventh in ground balls.

Alex Velesz made the IWLCA Division I Academic Honor Roll for the second consecutive year.

Velesz finished her final season of athletic eligibility last season and is currently pursuing her master's degree in education. A five-time CAA Commissioner's Academic Award recipient, Velesz earned her bachelor's degree in history at George Mason. A dean's list student, Velesz also was named to the IWLCA Academic Honor Roll in 2007. Last season, Velesz started all 17 games for the Patriots, setting career highs in caused turnovers (21) and draw controls (20). After wrapping up her five-year career at George Mason, Velesz finished tied for first all-time in games played, tied for fourth in games started and tied for sixth in consecutive games started.

This year, a total of 159 Division I women's lacrosse players earned the honor from the IWLCA. To be considered for the award, student-athletes had to have junior or senior standing and a minimum GPA of 3.2. Drexel's Jessica Bill was named the 2008 IWLCA Scholar-Athlete of the Year.