WHAT: George Mason men's soccer at American
WHEN: 4:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 26
WHERE: Reeves Athletic Complex, Washington, D.C.
SERIES RECORD: Mason leads 19-18-5
LAST MEETING: American defeated Mason 3-1 on Aug. 30, 2015 in Fairfax, Va.
2015 RECORDS: George Mason (7-7-3, 3-2-3 Atlantic 10); American (14-5-3, 5-2-2 Patriot League)
LIVE STATS: Click Here
GREG ANDRULIS INTERVIEW: Click Here
FAIRFAX, Va. – Right out of the gate, a familiar foe and good measuring stick await the George Mason men's soccer team.
The Patriots open the 2016 season against American University on the road at 4:30 p.m. on Friday in Washington, D.C. This will be the 43rd meeting in the series as Mason has played only one school more times than it has American.
The Eagles, coached by Mason alum Todd West, figure to provide a test for Mason in the Kuykenstrong DC College Cup. The Eagles won 14 games last year and reached the championship game of the Patriot League Tournament. They bring in eight seniors and return a majority of last year's squad, earning them a vote in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Preseason Poll.
“They are a very good team,” Mason head coach Greg Andrulis said. “Todd West is a Mason graduate so the game is always a battle. They are preseason No. 1 in their conference. They've got just about everybody coming back. It is going to be a battle, as it should be. It is a good rivalry for us. It is a tough game against a very good opponent and well-coached team. It is a great way to start the season.”
Andrulis enters his 12th season as Mason's head coach. He has compiled a 104-73-33 record at Mason for the second-most wins in program history. Andrulis has led the Patriots to three NCAA Tournaments, two conference tournament championships and six seasons of 10 wins or more.
Mason returns 20 letterwinners and nine starters from a team that went 7-7-3 and tied for eighth in the Atlantic 10 Conference in 2015. They also welcome 11 newcomers, including eight freshmen and three transfers.
Among the notable returners are junior forward Henning Dirks, who earned Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team honors after leading the team with seven goals and three assists, and goalkeeper Steffen Kraus. The senior was named to the NSCAA All-Midwest Third Team after posting a .734 save percentage and 47 saves in 12 games. Kraus and fellow senior Ryan Harmouche both lead the Patriots as captains.
Dirks was tabbed to the Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Conference Team while freshmen Tunde Akinlosotu, Raheem Lawal and Grant Robinson were named to the All-Rookie Team. The Patriots were picked to finish seventh in the A-10 in the preseason coaches poll.
Mason had two weeks of preseason camp and played two exhibition games against Delaware and William & Mary. The Patriots suffered a 3-0 loss to Delaware but showed resolve against William & Mary last Saturday. Mason rallied from a two-goal deficit in the second half, with Matt Tucker scoring in the 82nd minute to force a 2-2 draw.
In both games, Andrulis was able to go deep into his bench. Against William & Mary, the Patriots used 21 players, including seven freshmen and three transfers.
“We've made great progress (in the preseason) integrating a lot of the new guys into the system and working through the process,” Andrulis said. “The work rate, the attention to detail, the job that everyone has brought to the table every day, it has just been a terrific preseason… To get out and play a real game, we've been waiting for that moment since November. We're real excited to see some of the veterans who have had great preseasons come back as well as a bunch of new guys. It is a very good, hard-working team. I think we have a lot of potential.”
