FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason women's soccer team, under the guidance of ninth year head coach Diane Drake, will host eight opponents at George Mason Stadium this season as the Patriots officially released their 2012 schedule. Mason's 19 regular-season games will include four teams in addition to an exhibition match against opponents who competed in the 2011 NCAA Division I Tournament.

"We worked really hard on increasing the strength of our schedule this year and I think it's the strongest it's been in several years," commented Drake. "With a younger team this season, it is going to be a strong challenge for us, especially with the amount of travel involved. We start off the season with a strong exhibition match and head straight into a very challenging non-conference schedule, but we have the right group of players that are ready to work hard in preseason and they know discipline and defensive organization are going to be the keys to a successful season."

Mason kicks off the 2012 season hosting Radford in its lone exhibition match of the season on Friday, August 10. The Patriots own a 10-3-1 all-time series record against the Highlanders whom they last faced in 1993.

"Radford will be a very strong exhibition game for us and with the season they had last year, it will be a good challenge for us to open the year," noted Drake.

The Patriots' officially open the season for the second consecutive year facing St. John's as Mason will travel to Belson Stadium in Queens, N.Y. for a Friday, August 17 matchup. Mason will then welcome local foes American (Aug. 22) and George Washington (Aug. 24) to Fairfax for its first two home games of the season. After traveling to Navy on Aug. 26, the Patriots will close out the month of August hosting traditional NCAA powerhouse Maryland on Aug. 30. The Terrapins finished the 2011 season with a 12-6-4 record, earning the program's third straight NCAA tournament berth.

Mason will spend the majority of September on the road beginning with a trip to Howard on Sept. 4 before taking part in the Virginia Nike Soccer Classic Sept. 7-9. The Patriots will face host and nationally-ranked Virginia to open the fall classic before squaring off against Richmond on the 9^th.

"Our lone tournament this year is going to be a strong challenge for us because both Richmond and Virginia had excellent seasons last year," Drake commented. "Richmond had one of their strongest seasons last year and they are set to have another one this year with the talent and strong newcomers they have assembled for 2012. Virginia is a traditional top 10 team and will be a very steep challenge for us."

The Patriots then close out non-conference play traveling to three-time BIG EAST American Division champion Marquette on Sept. 16 for the first-ever meeting between the two programs. Marquette finished the 2011 season 18-4-0 following a loss to Penn State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Conference play begins with trips to Drexel (Sept. 21) and Delaware (Sept. 23) before Mason hosts defending CAA Champion William and Mary on Sept. 28 and Old Dominion on Sept. 30. The Patriots will open the month of October with visits to James Madison (Oct. 4), Hofstra (Oct. 12) and Northeastern (Oct. 14).

Mason closes out regular season play with three straight games at George Mason Stadium beginning with Georgia State on Oct. 19 as part of Alumni Weekend. The Seahawks of UNCW visit Fairfax on Oct. 21 before the Patriots close out the regular season with Towson on Oct. 24.

The CAA Tournament begins November 1 with semifinal action on Nov. 2. The tournament final is slated for Nov. 4 at the highest seed.

Mason's five contests against 2011 NCAA Tournament teams will include matchups against Radford (1^st round), Maryland (3^rd round), Virginia (quarterfinalist), Marquette (2^nd round) and William and Mary (1^st round).

The Patriots return seven starters from a 2011 squad that went 8-6-6 and earned the No. 3 seed in the CAA Tournament, where they were eliminated on penalty kicks.

Ticket prices for the 2012 women's soccer season are $6 for adults and $4 for youth (ages 18 and under). Tickets are available for purchase at the gate beginning one hour prior to the start of the game. Group discounts are available with a minimum purchase of 20 tickets. Group tickets are only $3 a ticket and must be purchased in advance. Fans can contact the George Mason Athletic Ticket Office at 703-993-3270 for more information.

To view the complete schedule, please click here.