June 12, 2003

FAIRFAX, VA ... George Mason freshman defender Damian O'Rourke has been selected as the Most Valuable Player and Top Freshman for the Patriot men's soccer team in 2002. In addition, junior midfielder Mirza Kurspahic was selected as the "Clubman of the Year" at a team dinner held in May.

A 6-2, 180-pound native of Shannon, Ireland, and a graduate of St. Patricks College, O'Rourke was named to the Freshman All-America third team by College Soccer News. He also shared the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Year award with UNC Wilmington freshman midfielder Nick Acosta, and he was a second-team All-CAA and All-Virginia selection. O'Rourke and sophomore goalkeeper John O'Hara (2001) are the only Patriots to earn CAA Rookie of the Year honors, and he follows in the footsteps of O'Hara (third team in 2001) in earning Freshman All-America honors.

O'Rourke made a difference for the Patriots both on offense and defense in 2002. An excellent central defender, he helped anchor a Mason defense that posted eight shutouts and a 1.04 goals-against average in 19 games. Starting all 17 games he played, O'Rourke also moved forward on set plays and contributed three goals and three assists to rank tied for second on the team with nine points.

Kurspahic was recognized for his contributions to the team, both on and off the field. The 5-8, 145-pound native of McLean, VA, and 2000 graduate of McLean High School was one of three Patriots to start all 19 games last season, and he was George Mason's leader in the midfield as he ranked fourth on the team with seven points on two goals and three assists. In his two years at Mason after transferring from the College of the Holy Cross, Kurspahic has two goals and five assists for nine points.

George Mason concluded its season with an 8-7-4 overall record, the first winning record in four years for the Patriots, and a 3-4-2 mark in the CAA.