MEN'S SOCCER vs. American
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 30 | 7 p.m.
WHERE: Fairfax, Va. | George Mason Stadium
2018 RECORDS: Mason (9-8-0, 5-3-0 A-10); American (4-9-5, 3-3-3 Patriot League)
SERIES RECORD: Series tied, 20-20-5
LAST MEETING:  The Eagles defeated the Patriots, 2-1, in the season opener on Aug. 24, 2018 at Reeves Field in Washington, D.C.
COVERAGE: ESPN+ ($) | LIVE STATS

---

FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason men's soccer team opens the 2019 season, hosting American on Friday with the kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. at George Mason Stadium in Fairfax, Va.
 
The Patriots finished exhibition play with a 2-2 draw against William & Mary on Saturday at Martin Family Stadium in Williamsburg, Va.  Senior midfielders Sukrija Dudic and Ryan Mingachos each scored for Mason.
 
Mason was picked seventh (93 points) in the Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll, voted on by the league's head coaches.  VCU, last year's A-10 conference regular-season champion with a record of 6-1-1, was projected to finish first (159 points/eight first-place votes), followed by Saint Louis (146 points/two first-place votes) and defending A-10 Champion Rhode Island (142 points/three first-place votes).
 
"We are excited about the 2019 team," Mason men's soccer head coach Greg Andrulis said.  "We have a veteran group returning that played in the conference championship in 2018 and are eager to improve upon that." 
 
The Patriots finished the 2018 campaign with a 9-8-0 overall record and posted a 5-3-0 mark against A-10 opponents, tying for third place in the conference during the regular season.  Mason was 6-3-0 at home, 2-4-0 on the road and 1-1 in games played at a neutral site.
 
In the A-10 quarterfinals, the Patriots defeated Saint Louis in double-overtime, 1-0.  In the semifinals at the Billiken Sports Center, Mason defeated Dayton, 1-0, in double-overtime to advance to the championship game for the first time since the 2013 season.
 
"We have added some quality new players who we expect to make immediate contributions," Andrulis said.  "We have a good core returning and a good class of recruits, so our depth has been improved as has the competition for playing time.  This is an exciting time of the year and we have high expectations for this year's group."
 
The Patriots added nine newcomers to the team for the 2019 season, including five transfers and four freshmen.  Mason returns 20 letterwinners and five of their top-six scorers from last year's team that advanced to the Atlantic 10 Championship game.
 
Seniors Tunde Akinlosotu and Grant Robinson tied for the team lead in goals (5) during the 2018 season, while Akinlosotu's 15 points led the club.  Mingachos tied for second on the team in goals (4), assists (4) and points (12).
 
American edged Mason, 2-1, in the 2018 season opener at Reeves Field in Washington, D.C.  Mason midfielder Grant Robinson scored in the lone goal of the first half in the 17th minute, while American tallied twice in the second half including the game-winner in the 67th minute of play.
 
The Eagles outshot the Patriots 12-8, including a 7-4 edge in shots on goal in the match.
The Patriots have faced the Eagles 45 times, with the all-time series tied 20-20-5.  Mason has played American each of the last 12 years, with a 7-5-0 record over the stretch.
 
SCOUTING AMERICAN
 
The Eagles finished the 2018 season with a 4-9-5 overall record, including a mark of 3-3-3 against Patriot League opponents.  American went 2-3-3 at home and 2-6-2 on the road last season.
 
American was projected to finish seventh in the Patriot League Preseason Poll, selected by the league's head coaches.  Loyola (Md.) was picked to finish first, followed by Colgate, Lehigh, Army, Boston University and Navy.
 
Senior midfielder Fabio Massero returns after leading the team in goals (7) and points (14) in 2018.  Junior midfielder Brenner Jarrad was second on the club in goals (5) and points (11) last season.
 
In goal, senior John Mino returns after playing in four games with a 1-2-0 record in 2018.  He's joined by sophomore Will Manogue and junior Jake Andrew. 
 
Zach Samol begins his first season as head coach at American after spending the last 13 seasons at Georgetown, where he helped guide the Hoyas to three Big East Championships and seven NCAA Tournament appearances.  Samol, the United Soccer Coaches Association Region Assistant Coach of the Year, is the 16th head coach in program history at American.
 
CORNER KICK
 
Mason has won seven of the last 11 meetings against American since the 2008 season, with five of the seven victories by shutout.
 
In the last home match against the Eagles, the Patriots notched a 3-0 win on Aug. 27, 2017 at George Mason Stadium. 
 
Ryan Mingachos scored the first two goals of his collegiate career, finding the back of the net in the seventh and 21st minutes of the game.  Forward Jackson Miles also scored the first goal of his career in the 60th minute of play.