May 27, 2010

FAIRFAX, Va. - After winning the CAA Championship for the first time in 19 years and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2008, the George Mason men's soccer team entered the 2009 season with high expectations. While Mason fell short of capturing a second consecutive conference title, the Patriots enjoyed another successful season on the pitch, winning at least 10 matches for the third time in the past four seasons.

Before the start of the season, George Mason was predicted to win its second consecutive conference title in a preseason poll of the league's head coaches. The Patriots wasted little time in showing why that honor was bestowed upon them by posting a 7-2 record through their first nine contests and a five-match winning streak that spanned from the middle of September through early October. Mason shut out each of its opponents during the winning streak and six of its first nine opponents.

Included in the streak was a monumental 2-0 shutout victory over the defending national champion and second-ranked team in the nation at the time, the Maryland Terrapins, in front of 2,781 fans at George Mason Stadium on Sept. 29. Junior forward Victor Freeman scored both goals for the Patriots and sophomore Mike Foss was credited with assists on both scores.

Following the win over Maryland, Mason entered the heart of its Colonial Athletic Association schedule. The Patriots played a grueling nine conference matches during the month of October before closing out their season against Old Dominion in early November. George Mason defeated conference foes Delaware, Georgia State and Drexel, and played to a tough 3-3 double-overtime tie at James Madison.

While Mason was eliminated from the CAA Championships with a 2-1 loss at No. 23 UNC Wilmington on Oct. 31, the Patriots' top players received a great deal of recognition for their contributions throughout the season.

Senior midfielder Richard Edgar earned a slew of awards during his final season on the team. Edgar was a Second-Team NSCAA All-South Atlantic Region selection, a Second-Team All-CAA honoree and a Second-Team VaSID All-State selection. In addition to his on-field laurels, Edgar was recognized for his off the field work and commitment to his studies. The Mechanicsville, Md. native was a First-Team Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Senior All-America, a First-Team Academic All-America selection by CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine and a CAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year award-winner for men's soccer for the second consecutive season.

In addition to Edgar, the Patriots received excellent senior leadership from goalkeeper Sean Kelley, who capped his career with a First-Team All-CAA selection after leading the conference in saves during the regular season with a total of 82. Kelley joined Edgar on the NSCAA All-South Atlantic Region Team and the VaSID All-State Team.

In his first season on the team, Freeman provided an immediate spark on offense. Despite sitting out the first five matches of the season with an injury, Freeman led Mason in goals (7), assists (4) and points (18). Three of his goals were game-winners. Freeman was a First-Team VaSID All-State and Second-Team All-CAA selection.

Ernesto Marquez teamed with Freeman to provide a potent offensive attack. Marquez finished second on the team in goals (4), assists (3) and points (11). He was rewarded for his fine season with a Third-Team All-CAA selection.

The future of the George Mason men's soccer team is bright as many of the members of Head Coach Greg Andrulis's top-15 recruiting class earned valuable minutes on the field during the 2009 season. One of those players, Ryan Reichmann, was named to the CAA All-Rookie Team for his contributions. Reichmann teamed with fellow freshman Chase Miller on defense to make an immediate impact on the field.

In addition to Edgar and Kelley, senior Alex Procter also donned the Green and Gold for the final time during the 2009 season. Procter played in 10 matches on defense during his senior season.