Aug. 7, 2009
RICHMOND, Va. -
Four Patriot legends were honored today when the Colonial Athletic Association announced its prestigious 25th Anniversary Men's Soccer Team. Each of the four members of the team have already been inducted into the George Mason Men's Soccer Hall of Fame for their vital contributions to the program.
The four members of the team from George Mason University include Rich Kotschau (1993, 95-97), Tamir Linhart (1991-93), Mike Reynolds (1982-85) and Fred Thompson (1982-85). The team was selected by a panel of current and former head coaches in the conference.
Kotschau was a four-year starter for George Mason, beginning with the 1993 season and then from 1995-97. Kotschau still holds the all-time school career record in games played with a total of 84. During his senior season, Kotschau was named to the All-CAA and All-Virginia First Teams, and was also a third-team choice for the All-South Atlantic Region Team. Kotschau was selected an All-American honorable mention and finished the season as the ninth-best defender in the nation, according to College Soccer News.
Kotschau became the first Mason player to be selected in the Major League Soccer (MLS) collegiate draft when he was the second overall pick in the first round in 1998 by the expansion Chicago Fire, who went on to win the MLS championship that year. He was traded to the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 1999, to the Colorado Rapids in 2001, and played a year with the Columbus Crew in 2006 before moving on to Real Salt Lake.
Linhart, who became just the fifth player in Mason history to be named an NSCAA All-American twice, played three years with the Patriots. Linhart earned All-CAA, All-Virginia and All-South Atlantic Region First-Team honors in 1992. He was also named the CAA Player of the Year and received All-CAA and All-Virginia First Team nods during his senior season. The Holon, Isreal native led the conference in scoring in 1992 and 1993, and currently stands second in Mason's record book with 49 goals, third with 114 points and sixth with 156 shots.
Reynolds was a four-year starter for Mason, which compiled a 64-15-5 record during his career. Reynolds earned All-American honors during both his junior and senior years, along with being named to the All-South Atlantic Region squad. In addition, Reynolds was named to the All-ECAC South Team during his junior year and went on to earn All-CAA honors in 1985. He set a school record at the time of his graduation in career assists with 18. Reynolds' collegiate career was capped with his selection to play in the prestigious Senior Bowl by the Intercollegiate Soccer Association of America. After graduating from George Mason University, Reynolds was drafted by the Baltimore Blast of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). His life was cut short in 1991 after suffering a stroke.
Thompson played four years with the Patriots and ended his career with 98 points and 40 goals, which rank fourth and fifth in Mason's all-time record book, respectively. Thompson was a three-time All-South Atlantic Region honoree. He also earned All-ECAC South honors his junior year and All-CAA honors in 1985. Thompson played professionally for eight years as a defender for the Baltimore Blast of the MISL, Tacoma Stars of the MSL and Sacramento Knights of the CISL. Thompson was the starting sweeper for the Jamaica National Team from 1988-90. After serving as the head coach of the Bowling Green State University men's soccer team for five seasons (2004-08), Thompson currently holds the top assistant coaching position for the Army women's soccer program.
The CAA has established itself as one of the nation's best men's soccer conferences. Since sponsorship of the sport began in 1985, the CAA has sent multiple teams to the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship in 17 of the 24 seasons, with American University reaching the national championship game in 1985. The conference has had a team reach the NCAA quarterfinals six times.
William and Mary has captured five conference championships and made 11 NCAA Tournament appearances over the past 24 years. George Mason and James Madison have each won four CAA titles and made eight NCAA Tournament trips as league members. VCU owns three CAA titles and has made six NCAA Tournament appearances, while Hofstra claimed three straight CAA championships from 2004-06. Richmond and Old Dominion each have two league crowns, with the Monarchs reaching the NCAA Tournament seven times, including a stretch of six straight from 2002-07.
As part of its 25th Anniversary celebration in 2009-10, the CAA is recognizing Silver Anniversary teams in 21 championship sports. The CAA 25th Anniversary women's volleyball and men's and women's cross country teams will be released in the next two weeks.
CAA Men's Soccer 25th Anniversary Team
Wade Barrett, W&M
Michael Brady, American
Adin Brown, W&M
Brent Bennett, JMU
Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond
Matthew Delicate, VCU
Waughn Hughes, W&M
David Horst, ODU
Steve Jolley, W&M
Kaarlo Kankkunen, JMU
Kevin Knight, JMU
Rich Kotschau, George Mason
Tamir Linhart, George Mason
Trever McEachron, ODU
Patrick McSorley, JMU
Carlos Mendes, ODU
Kurt Morsink, JMU
Dominic Oduro, VCU
Mike Reynolds, George Mason
Gonzalo Segares, VCU
Jimmy Tanner, ODU
Fred Thompson, George Mason
Michael Todd, Hofstra
Jon Tuttle, W&M
Atilla Vendegh, ODU
-Mason Soccer-
