Depth will be a key component to the George Mason men's soccer team in 2011. From last season, the Patriots lost 13 letterwinners, including four starters, but new to the roster in 2011 are 13 dynamic and competitive newcomers.

 In his seventh season as head coach, Greg Andrulis used the preseason to blend the talented group of newcomers with an experienced group of returning players. Leading the returning class is a group of three seniors including preseason All-CAA selection Eric Zuehsow, Ryan Gracia and Draymond Washington. In addition to the seniors, expected to see extended time at forward is returner Taylor Morgan and in the net will be Dustin Butcher this season. However, with injuries at the beginning of the season, the newcomers will be vying for starting positions in several roles.

The Patriots open the season on the road August 26 at Boston College to begin a non-conference slate intended to prepare the team for the ever-challenging conference schedule. "We always strive to play the most challenging non-conference schedule that we can, and this year is no exception," stated Andrulis. "Preseason polls have five of our eight opponents ranked in the top-20. Our goal this season is to compete for the conference championship and a bid to postseason play."

Forward

Veterans Taylor Morgan and Wes Sever are expected to have breakout seasons and earn starting time on the forward line. Morgan got 12 starts in 14 appearances last season, scored a goal and had two assists taking 22 shots, 14 on goal. After battling injuries last season, Sever will be expected to contribute large minutes in 2011. The sophomore took eight shots on the year last season, appearing in 10 matches with seven starts.

The duo will be joined by newcomers Timmy Mulgrew, Andrew Panken and Richard Diaz. Mulgrew, who joined the Patriots in the spring, spent 14 years playing with the Great Falls Soccer Club, while Panken was a first-team all-district and honorable mention all-met from Yorktown High School. Diaz joins the Patriots after redshirting his freshman campaign at Akron last season.

"We are looking to see big things from Taylor and a return to form for Wes this season," commented Andrulis. "Timmy had a good spring season with us and will be in the mix as well. Andrew and Richard will add depth to the position."

Goalkeeper

A strength for the Green and Gold this season will be in the net as veterans Dustin Butcher, Mark Bixler and Sean Cote will challenge for playing time. Butcher compiled a 1-1 record last season with three appearances and two starts, making a career-high seven saves at Villanova. Bixler played the full 90 minutes against William & Mary as one of two starts last season and made six saves. The sophomore finished the year with a 2.00 goals-against average and 72.7 save percentage. The primary goalkeeper from last season, Cote returns this season, having started 13 of 15 matches in 2010, and will look to contribute minutes.

In addition, the Patriots added transfer Alec Constantine at the position. Constantine played two seasons at Mary Washington before transferring to Mason. In 2010, he had 42 saves, a 1.02 GAA and a 4-4-1 record.

"This season, we have good, healthy competition in the net between Dustin, Mark and Sean," said Andrulis.

Midfield

Another key strength for the Patriots this season will be the midfield as the Green and Gold add three key newcomers to a talented group of returners to the position. Additions to the midfield will be Leo Stolz, Julio Arjona and Verneri Valimaa. A highly-touted newcomer, Stolz played seven years for 1860 Munich as a central midfielder and was a member of the U18 German national team. He helped lead the state team to indoor championships three consecutive years from 2008-10.

Joining Stolz is sophomore Arjona, a transfer from West Virginia who appeared in 17 games for the Mountaineers last season, and Valimaa, the 2011 Sun Sentinel Player of the Year. Arjona is a former USA U-17 national team player and DC United product who spent two years in Bradenton, Florida playing with the national team. Valimaa was also named an ESPN RISE First-Team All-American and helped lead American Heritage to a Class 2A state title in 2010. The freshman earned three caps this summer for the U-18 Finnish national team and was also selected to participate in the USA U-18 national team camp. Valimaa is the first George Mason recruit to be named the Gatorade State Player of the Year as he was awarded the honor in Florida this past year.

The trio will compliment a returning group that includes A.J. Sheta (Egyptian National Team Pool), Derek Markheim (USA U-20 National Team) and Ryan Gracia (USA U-17 National Team). John Gardner, Benjamin Paris, Sean O'Reilly and Brennan Zizi will add depth to the position.

"Our 2011 midfield is entirely new this season with the key additions of Leo, Julio and Verneri," stated Andrulis. "Those three guys will compete and compliment our solid group of returners to the position."

Defense

Key returners to the backline this season are Chase Miller, a U-17 national team product, and Eric Zuehsow, a three-year starter and fifth-year captain. Both, however, are out early in the season due to injury, leaving ample opportunity for newcomer Paul Andrews and returner Hugh Roberts to contribute significant playing minutes. Andrews, a transfer from Northern Kentucky, was a second-team All-American in 2010 and helped lead NKU to a Division II national championship. Roberts played in 12 matches with one start for the Patriots last season. He scored one goal, the game-winner at Towson, and had two assists on the year.

Providing depth at the position and challenging for a starting role on the backline are returners Zak Haapaoja, Laurent Newsome and Draymond Washington. Haapaoja appeared in seven matches with two starts in 2010, while Newsome appeared in seven matches and was on the pitch for three of Mason's seven shutouts. Making the transition to the backline last season, Washington got the start in 10 of 12 matches appeared in and attempted three shots on the season. The senior was part of four of Mason's seven shutouts. Alex Herrera will split time between the defense and midfield.

"This is our area of most uncertainty due to injuries to two key returners who we expected big contributions from," noted Andrulis. "We will be looking to other players on the team to step in and step up to fill the role."

Coaching Staff

Andrulis announced the return of former Patriot standouts Fro Adu and Brent Brockman to the roster in a coaching capacity. Adu played an integral role on the defensive unit for the Patriots and started 42 matches as a Patriot. He tallied six goals, one assist and 13 points in four years. Brockman joins Adu on the staff after spending two seasons with the Patriots. In his short career, Brockman started 15 of 25 games appeared in and was a key component to the midfield.

"We are thrilled that Fro and Brent have decided to return to Mason," commented Andrulis. "Both young men have great futures ahead of them and will be tremendous assets to our program and our players. They are both liked and respected by our staff and team."

Conference

This season, Mason will play five of their 11 CAA matches at home welcoming Old Dominion, Drexel, Towson, Northeastern and Georgia State. The regular season closes on November 5 with the top six teams advancing to the conference tournament. With the competitive mix of newcomers and returners, Mason looks to be a contender for the conference title again this season and return the trophy to George Mason.