Good morning! And Happy Labor Day! Long weekends are great, but you know what's even better? A long weekend that includes the first win of the year!

This morning, we hope you enjoy this mini-sized Patriot Brew. (Think of it as a single shot of the Green and Gold.)

We’ll be back with your Venti-sized edition on Wednesday.

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Turning Two. The veteran duo of Nani Spaar and Grace Halley provided a huge spark to lead the Mason volleyball team to a 2-1 record at this weekend’s Seton Hall Classic, 3-1 over NJIT on Friday and 3-0 over Saint Peter’s on Saturday. Spaar averaged over four kills per set and double-digit kills in all three matches, while Halley five digs per set as both grad students earned All-Tournament honors.

🔼 Off and Running. Facing a loaded field of 14 teams, including several regional powerhouses, the Mason cross country squads kicked off their 2023 seasons with sixth place finishes at the Spider Open, outside of Richmond. For the men’s team, junior Mason Love and senior Wesley Bond both finished in the top-10 at the meet. Graduate student Kate O’Neil paced the women’s side, earning a top-15 finish as 16 teams raced in the women’s field. 

🔼 Battle Tested. There’s no doubt about one thing. The Mason women’s soccer team will be prepared to take on a rigorous conference schedule after a loaded non-conference slate, which has featured some of the best teams in the region. The Patriots hosted an unbeaten Villanova team for the first time since 2003 and dropped a tough 3-0 decision to the Wildcats. Up Next? Another perennial NCAA Tournament team, Maryland, in College Park, on Thursday night.

🔼 Head Of Their Class. Not only did the Mason softball program win on the field (A-10 Champs Stand Up!), they excelled in the classroom, ranking in top-40 in the country with a team GPA of 3.59. Eight different Patriots earned All-America Scholar Athlete status from Easton and NFCA.

📬 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!

📅 WHAT’S ON TAP?

Monday, September 1
⛳️ Men’s Golf at Red Bandana Invitational (Boston College) | Live Stats
⚽ Men’s Soccer vs. Old Dominion @ 7 pm | Live Video | Live Stats

Thursday, September 7
⚽ Women’s Soccer at Maryland @ 7 pm

Friday, September 8
🎾 Women’s Tennis at Moore Invitational (Navy)
🏐 Volleyball vs. Brown @ 12 pm
⚽ Men’s Soccer at Bucknell @ 7 pm
🏐 Volleyball vs. Robert Morris @ 7 pm

⭐️ Enjoy your Labor Day, y’all!