Nov. 20, 2009

FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason women's lacrosse head coach Lauren Rywak announced today the signing of National Letters of Intent by five recruits to enroll at George Mason University in the fall of 2010.

The Patriot women's lacrosse team will be joined in the fall of 2010 by Anna Kopecka, an attacker from T.C. Williams High School who is a native of the Czech Republic; Ashley Wheeler, a midfielder from Century High School in Sykesville, Md.; Tori Mitros, an attacker/ midfielder from Garnet Valley High School in Glen Mills, Pa.; Sam Scruggs, an attacker from Chesapeake High School in Baltimore, Md.; and Katie Mascolo, a midfielder from Hall High School in West Hartford, Conn.

"We are thrilled with the addition of this group of players. They are extremely talented and will bring a lot to the program," Rywak said. "Assistant coaches Kelly Kasper and Megan Cassara have done a great job evaluating talent and played a big role in bringing a strong signing class to Mason."

Hailing from the Czech Republic, Kopecka has been a member of the Czech Republic World Cup Team since 2007. A member of the girl's lacrosse team at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va., she was an All-Met Girl's Lacrosse Honorable Mention by The Washington Post in 2009. She was also named the MVP of the Titans' girl's lacrosse team in 2009 on her way to earning First-Team All-Patriot District honors.

"Anna's solid stick skills and poise in the attacking unit will be a great addition on the field and her ability to see plays unfold will only contribute to the success of our attacking unit," Rywak said.

Wheeler was a member of a Century High School team that won the 1A-2A State Championships in both 2007 and 2009. A member of the 2008 Mid-Atlantic National Team, Wheeler earned MVAL All-League Second Team Antietam Conference honors in 2008 and 2009. A 2009 Second-Team Baltimore Metro National Team selection, she played five years for the Check-Hers Elite Club Team and five years for Freedom Optimist Lacrosse.

"Ashley is an aggressive player who constantly makes plays happen in the midfield," Rywak said. "Her speed will contribute to our fast-break style of play."

Mitros was the varsity team captain at Garnet Valley High School during both her junior and senior years. She received Honorable Mention All-Delco and All-Central League honors in 2008 after joining the ranks of the Top-25 scorers in Delaware County. Mitros played club lacrosse for the Lenape Premier Team.

"Tori is a strong player who has great field vision," Rywak said. "Her unselfish play will be a valuable asset to the overall strength of our team; she can contribute throughout the midfield, attack and defense."

Scruggs, from Chesapeake High School in Baltimore, Md., was a member of the 2009 U.S. Lacrosse Woman's Division National Tournament Team representing the Potomac Chapter. She was named Second-Team Attack following the 2009 season by the Anne Arundel County Coaches All-County Team. In 2008, she was named Second-Team All-Galaxy Lacrosse League.

"Sam has great speed on the field," Rywak said. "Her tireless work ethic is consistent when re-defending and she can finish with solid shots on cage."

Mascolo, a midfielder for the Hall High School lacrosse team, was a member of the 2008 Lower New England Tournament Team One and a member of the Lax Plus Club Team. Mascolo also plays field hockey and was named All-Conference in 2009 and a team captain for the 2010 season.

"Katie's confidence with the ball creates strong drives to the cage," Rywak said. "She also has the ability to be a consistent feeder off ball around the perimeter."