Aug. 30, 2007

FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason men's soccer team begins its 2007 season tomorrow when it hosts the Adidas D.C. College Cup at George Mason Stadium. The four-team tournament will get underway at 5 p.m. with American taking on George Washington. George Mason will play in the second match of the day against Howard at 7:30 p.m.

In addition to the opening day of action on Friday, two more matches are slated for Sunday. On the second and final day of the tournament, Howard faces George Washington at 1 p.m. and the Patriots play American at 3 p.m.

The 2007 Patriots will attempt to reach the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship Tournament for the first time in consecutive years since 1989-90. George Mason finished the 2006 season with a 12-6-3 record, reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1996, hosting Bucknell in the first round at George Mason Stadium. One of the stars of last year's NCAA Tournament team was sophomore goalkeeper Sean Kelley, the 2006 CAA Rookie of the Year, who earned his first accolade of the 2007 season when he was named to the Preseason All-CAA team in goal. Kelley led the conference in both saves (102) and shutouts (11) last season.

Mason will be the only school competing in the Adidas D.C. College Cup with a winning record last season as American posted a 6-10-3 overall record, George Washington wrapped up the season with a 5-9-3 mark and Howard finished the year with a 3-13-1 record. American hosted last year's Adidas D.C. College Cup, which the Patriots did not participate in, downing Georgetown 2-1 on a goal by Sal Caccavale off a free kick with 2:07 left in regulation to capture the championship. In the six-year history of the tournament, American has won the title four times. Georgetown, absent from this year's tournament, has won the championship twice.

On both Friday and Sunday, tickets will cost $5 for adults and $2 for youth and senior citizens. All full-time enrolled students at George Mason University will be admitted free with a valid Mason student ID. Tickets purchased on Friday will be valid for both matches scheduled for that day and the policy will be the same for the two matches that will be held on Sunday.

Following Friday's first match, the George Mason Student Government and the Intercollegiate Athletics Department invite all students to attend and enjoy Wingstock presented by Wing Zone featuring free food, live music, games and prizes. The tailgate will start at approximately 6:30 p.m. inside George Mason Stadium. The first 100 students will be able to sit in the "Wing Zone" located right on the field behind the goal.

In addition to Wingstock presented by Wing Zone, a number of promotions will take place during Friday's match against Howard, which is the Broadside Game of the Week. The "Chicken Olympics" will be held at halftime featuring a wing eating contest, rubber chicken toss and relay race. T-shirts and mini soccer balls will be thrown into the crowd throughout the game and if the Patriots score three goals, fans can bring their game ticket to Wing Zone immediately following the game or the next day to receive five free chicken wings with any purchase as part of the Wing Zone "Score for More" promotion. Making an appearance at the Stadium to entertain the fans will be George Mason's mascot Gunston.

The George Mason University Athletics Department welcomes all fans to Fairfax. In order to enhance the experience for all fans, certain policies are in place. Pets will not be allowed into George Mason Stadium (with the exception of service animals). Also prohibited from the Stadium are any coolers, glass containers, alcoholic beverages and noise makers. We greatly appreciate your cooperation and adherence to these policies and we hope you enjoy your experience at George Mason Stadium. If you have questions regarding the above policy, please contact the Athletic Ticket Office at (703) 993-3270.