Patriot Brew 8/16: Let's Get Ready...

The Patriots are Back, Now Let's Get You Ready

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Patriot Brew Crew
August 16, 2023

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Happy Hump Day Patriots. Pop Quiz time!

Well, not really, but we’ve got some fall seasons to prepare for so you better study up!

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with a full study guide for each sport below and much more!

What all is stirring in today’s Brew? You don’t want to miss!

📝 Let’s Get Ready
🎉 Free Gear? Yes Please!
⏱ Patriot Countdown
​⭐ And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Young, Hungry and Focused. With the start of the 2023-24 athletic year tomorrow, we wanted to prep you for what’s coming this fall, but giving you a brief look at each of our four fall squads.

First up, our women’s soccer girls who bring a young, but very hungry and talented group to the pitch this fall. 32 of the 37 players on this year’s roster have played either one or less seasons of collegiate soccer.

Coach Puppione is entering her third season at the helm and has completely turned over the program. This fall, she looks for the Patriots to make a big step forward.

Last season, 11 of Mason’s 18 matches were decided by one goal or less. The main focus this past spring and summer was generating more offense and finding ways to get into the back of the net.

🔼 Court In Session: 🔟 Days . It’s been 14 years since the Patriots ran through the CAA Tournament and marched into the NCAA Volleyball Tournament back in 2009.

Second year head coach Megan Shifflett is looking to bring some of that magic back to Fairfax. With seven underclassmen on her roster, Coach Shifflett will look to build with a balance of veteran experience and talented young players.

Last fall marked the second straight season that Mason had a selection on the A-10 All-Rookie squad with Gabriella Gelfound (2022) and Olivia Kennedy (2021). The Patriots will look to build around those two, along with two key transfers joining the Green and Gold in Gracie Halley (Siena) and Nani Spaar (Santa Clara).

🔼 Fresh Start. There’s one thing for sure this fall for Mason’s men’s soccer team and that’s been a focus on generating offense.

The Patriots brought in some fresh legs and new faces to help with exactly that as 21 of the 26 players on this year’s roster have been in Fairfax for a year or less.

That group includes a brand new signing class announced recently that totals 16, including seven freshmen and nine transfers.

It was 10 years ago this fall that Mason marched its way into the second round. Not a bad time to make some noise again this fall.

Kickoff is 8️⃣ days away.

🔼 Charting A New Course. It’s never easy to replace some of the best athletes a program has ever seen, but that’s what the Mason cross country squads will be doing this fall with the graduation of Annabelle Eastman and Jack Ikenberry.

You know the old saying, “next man up”… we’re excited to see which Patriots will step up and lead the pack for our cross country teams this fall.

Mason will be toeing the line is 1️⃣7️⃣ days away.

🎉 ENTER TO WIN

That’s right, we’ve got your chance to take home official Patriots Merchandise thanks to our friend at Virginia529!

All you have to do is fill out the form and you’ve got a shot to take home an Official Patriot Baseball Hat, Long-Sleeve Mason Athletics T-Shirt, and an Official Mason Men's Basketball Jersey!

⚾️ A NIGHT AT THE BALLPARK

Big League Company. It’s back baby!

Come out and show your Patriot pride as the Nationals host George Mason University Day at the ballpark!

Join Mason alumni, students, parents, faculty and fans as the Patriots take over the ballpark for a day. Everyone who purchases a ticket through this link will receive an exclusive George Mason University Day cobranded ¼ Zip Pullover.

Mason Athletics' Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics Marvin Lewis will be throwing out the game's first pitch! Join fellow alumni and fans at Nationals game!

⏱ PATRIOT COUNTDOWN: 1️⃣ DAY

We are counting down the days to start of the 2023-2024 athletic calendar with some of the best moments, stars, and much more from Mason history.

Netminder. She may be over 800 miles from home, but she looks quite comfortable between the pipes on the Mason soccer field.

Sophomore Selawit Caldart will be donning #1 again this fall and looks to give the Patriots a lift in goal once again after starting 15 games during her first collegiate season.

Caldart came to Fairfax after an All-Conference career at Shorewood High School in Wisconsin. She served as a captain her senior season and was named Team MVP as a junior.

Last fall, in her debut season at Mason, she tallied 93 saves, including nine games of six or more and double-digit saves in two games. Her season high came against Saint Louis when she tallied 14 saves.

🤔 PATRIOT TRIVIA

First Impressions. Tomorrow is the day we’ve all been waiting for, the start of the 2023-24 athletic calendar.

It all starts with the Patriots hosting Old Dominion at 6 pm in Fairfax.

Mason is looking for its first season opening victory since 2018 when it toppled ETSU in dramatic fashion, scoring a goal in the 83rd minute to come away with the 1-0 win.

Do you know who scored that game-winning goal back in the 2018 season opener?

Got a guess?

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

📬 STICK WITH US

Did someone send you the Patriot Brew? Well, the first thing you should do is thank them. The next thing you should do is subscribe here and get it in your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning just in time for your first cup of coffee!

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Gabriela Rivera.

Rivera was a transfer student who joined Mason for her final two collegiate seasons after starting her career at the University of Florida.

During her time in Fairfax, she was a critical part of the midfield and team chemistry, serving as the team captain during her senior season in 2019.

That goal back in 2018 was the only goal she would score as a Patriot as she turned into more of a creator, dishing out eight assists in two years.

⭐️ Let’s have a great day, ya’ll!