RICHMOND, Va. - The George Mason women's soccer team earned the #3 seed in the 2011 Virginia 529 CAA Women's Soccer Championship and will open tournament play facing sixth-seeded Northeastern on Thursday at 5 p.m. at Martin Family Stadium at Albert/Daly Field in Williamsburg, Va. in the first quarterfinal matchup.

The top six teams at the end of regular season competition advanced into the tournament field. William and Mary earned the top seed with a regular-season league record of 10-1, while VCU claimed the #2 seed with a 6-2-3 league mark. Mason earned the #3 seed based on head-to-head competition with fourth-seeded Delaware (9-6-4, 5-3-3 CAA) as #5 Hofstra and #6 Northeastern complete the 2011 field.

Mason heads into the match carrying an 8-6-5 overall record and a final CAA regular-season record of 5-3-3.  The Patriots clinched a spot in the tournament with a 2-0 shutout over Towson on Saturday, while the Huskies (9-9-1, 5-5-1) finished the regular-season tied in sixth with James Madison and earned the tournament berth based on its head-to-head win over the Dukes in regular season play.

After Mason plays the first quarterfinal at 5 p.m. on Thursday, #4 Delaware (9-6-4, 5-3-3 CAA) meets #5 Hofstra (10-7, 6-5 CAA) at 7:30 p.m.

In Friday's first semifinal, #2 VCU (8-7-4, 6-2-3 CAA) will play the winner of George Mason/Northeastern at 5 p.m. while top-seeded William and Mary (15-2-2, 10-1 CAA) takes on the winner of Delaware/Hofstra in the second semifinal at 7:30 p.m.

The CAA Championship match will be played at 1 p.m. on Sunday, with the winner earning the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship.

Mason enters the tournament having won four of its past six matches. In regular season action, Northeastern defeated Mason in double-overtime, 2-1 in Fairfax. Zoe Doherty gave the Patriots a 1-0 lead in the 46^th minute. The Huskies tied the score in the 76^th minute and scored the game-winner in the 108^th minute.

This marks the third time since 1995 Mason has earned the #3 seed in the CAA Championship (1998, 2001, 2010). In 2001 and 1998, the Patriots defeated their sixth-seeded opponent to advance to the second round. Mason and Northeastern will meet for the first time in the CAA Championship.

Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for youths (ages 2-17). Students from participating institutions will be admitted free with a valid college ID. Live stats and a video webstream will be available for all five games.

A complete tournament bracket can be found here.

2011 VIRGINIA 529 CAA WOMEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
Martin Family Stadium at Albert/Daly Field - Williamsburg, Va.

Thursday, November 3 - Quarterfinals
#3 George Mason vs. #6 Northeastern - 5:00 p.m.
#4 Delaware vs. #5 Hofstra - 7:30 p.m.

Friday, November 4 - Semifinals
#2 VCU vs. Mason/Northeastern winner - 5:00 p.m.
#1 William and Mary vs. Delaware/Hofstra winner - 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 6 - Championship
CAA Championship Match - 1:00 p.m.