Patriot Brew 10/27: 10 Days Til Tipoff

Mason Hoops Just 10 Days Away

Author

Patriot Brew Crew
October 27, 2023

TGIF Patriots. We’re so close we can almost taste it.

This week has been an appetizer with our first sneak peek and getting some inside scoop.

Now, the main course is just 10 days away. Mason Hoops are coming.

And while you’re waiting, our volleyball and men’s soccer team are making late season pushes with postseason spots on their minds.

What all is stirring in today’s Brew? Check it out!

🙌 Helping Hands
🏐 Getting Defensive
🏀 Tens Days Til Tipoff
​⭐ And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Helping Hands. Former Patriot Hugh Roberts has been around the game of soccer since the time he could walk.

The All-Conference defender at Mason has been a professional for the past 11 years with various USL teams. He’s seen the impact that the game can have on someone’s life.

He’s also used the game to reach the community around him and his fellow players have recognized that work as he was named the 2023 USL Humanitarian Award winner.

Roberts, who is currently playing with Monterey Bay FC, earned the honor this week for his work with his creation, Backyard Footy, where he uses the game to team life lessons to youth in surrounding communities.

🔼 Finish Them. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.

The Mason men’s soccer team is taking that phrase to heart as the Green & Gold are now 4-1-1 in the past six games heading into the regular season finale this weekend.

Sophomore Nicholas Prioli had two assists to lead the Patriots to a 3-1 road win earlier this week at Delaware and now, Mason heads into a Sunday showdown at GW in hopes to grab a final spot in the 2023 A-10 Tournament.

Mason is currently tied for ninth-place and just three points out of the 8th and final spot in the postseason. With a win and some help, the Patriots could sneak in to make some noise.

🔼 Getting Defensive. With six games left on the regular season schedule, the Mason volleyball team is turning up the defense at the right time.

On Wednesday night, Chelsea Colter (9) and Ewelina Gacek (6) set career-highs in blocks to lead a stout Mason defense that limited George Washington in a Green & Gold 3-0 sweep to earn a critical A-10 victory.

Entering the final stretch of the regular season, Mason is just two games out of the final spot in the 2023 Atlantic 10 Tournament with several opportunities to move up in the final three weeks.

🔼 Coach’s Corner. With tipoff right around the corner, Mason officially unveiled the opportunity for the Green & Gold faithful to get the inside scoop with Coach Skinn and Coach Blair-Lewis at the Coach’s Show.

Hosted and sponsored by the Capital Ale House, “Voice of the Patriots” Bill Rohland, will welcome both coaches as well as a variety of special guests throughout the eight shows.

The first episode is set for Monday, October 30th at 7 pm. You don’t want to miss it!

🏀 TEN DAYS FROM TIP-OFF

🔼 Taking The Show On The Road. One exhibition down, one to go and 🔟 days til tipoff.

Monday’s exhibition gave us a first glimpse at what “Patriot Pressure” might look like this season after holding St. Thomas to below 30-percent shooting.

Tonight, the Green & Gold hit the road to play a high-level challenge when they travel to Morgantown to take on WVU in a 7 pm exhibition.

🔼 On The Mic. With less than two weeks til tipoff, the Patriots jumped on the mics as senior Sonia Smith and Coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis participated in the annual Atlantic 10 women’s basketball media day outside of Richmond.

At the event, classmate Nalani Kaysia was named to the All-Atlantic 10 Preseason Third Team.
 
The senior out of Washington, D.C. begins her second season with the Patriots after transferring to George Mason last year after a successful three-year stint at Charlotte playing Division I volleyball. Kaysia earned Atlantic 10 All-Rookie honors, the first time since the 2017-18 season that a player has earned the postseason award, with Nicole Cardaño-Hillary being named to the A10 All-Rookie team in 2018.
 
Last season, she averaged a team-best 8.5 rebounds (7th , A-10) and 1.1 blocks (6th , A-10) per game and was on the team averaging 8.8 points per game while shooting .429 from the field. During the regular season, she registered 35 blocks, the most by a Patriot since the 2018-19 season.

🏆 CALL TO THE HALL

What better way to kick off a new season than honoring the legends that built the foundation?

One of the most successful programs in the athletic department is opening a new chapter as the Mason Wrestling Hall of Fame is set to host its inaugural George Mason Wrestling Hall of Fame Ceremony, inducting alumni, coaches, and its 1974 undefeated team on Sunday, October 29th. at the Stacey Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax.

This event will celebrate the rich history of George Mason that dates back more than 50 years to the 1972-1973 season. The George Mason University Wrestling Hall of Fame is established to recognize and honor outstanding achievement in wrestling, contributions to Mason athletics, and significant service to society. Contributions through coaching, refereeing, sponsorships, media, announcing, and lifetime support also qualify individuals for induction.
 
The inaugural induction includes: the undefeated 1974 team, Johnny Curtis '93, Matt Finacchio '95, Bryan Hazard '96, Scott Kirsch '91, Paul Maltagliati '83, Sean Shea '01, Dan Wotring '81, Head Coach Mike Moyer, 1985-1995 and Head Coach Roger Rinker, 1974-1981.

🤔 PATRIOT TRIVIA

On Point. Grad student Luis Maestre is making the most of his final minutes on the college soccer field.

Maestre has now scored a point in each of the past six games and now has 19 points on the year, ranking third in the A-10 in total points and second in points per game.

He is now just one point away from reaching 20 in a season, which hasn’t been done since 2017.

Who was the last Patriot to reach 20 points in a single-season?

Got a guess?

Scroll on down to the bottom of this email for the answer!

Patriot Trivia is sponsored by our official Student Housing Partner,
The Main on University

📅 WHAT’S ON TAP?

Friday, October 27
🏀 Men’s Basketball at West Virginia (Exhibition) @ 7pm
🏊 Swimming vs. La Salle @ 5pm

Saturday, October 28
👟 Cross Country at Atlantic 10 Championships @ 10am (Dayton, Ohio)
🏊 Swimming vs. Duquesne @ 10am
🏐 Volleyball at VCU @ 1pm
⚽ Men’s Soccer at George Washington @ 3pm
🤼‍♂️ Wrestling at Mason Wrestleoffs (Fairfax, Va.)

Sunday, October 29
🏐 Volleyball at VCU @ 1pm
⛳️ Men’s Golf at Bryan National Collegiate (Greensboro, N.C.)

📬 STICK WITH US

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🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Henning Dirks.

Dirks, a former All-Conference performer for the Patriots, piled up 27 points in 2017 with 10 goals and seven assists.

Patriot Trivia is sponsored by our official Student Housing Partner,
The Main on University

⭐️ Have a great weekend, Patriots!