Senior midfielder Mark Vita of the men's soccer team has been selected as the George Mason University "Athlete of the Week."
A 5-11, 165-pound native of Fairfax and a 1994 graduate of Fairfax High School, Vita had an outstanding week as he scored two goals and passed for two assists while helping the Patriots to a pair of victories and a draw. George Mason defeated Loyola (MD), 3-1, at home Wednesday, then the Patriots took the championship of the Black & Decker Loyola/Lotto Classic in Baltimore as they tied Cornell Saturday, 2-2 in overtime, and defeated Princeton Sunday, 2-0, to extend their unbeaten streak to six games and raise their record to 6-3-1.
Expected to be a force in the midfield for the Patriots this season after ranking third on the team in scoring last season with 18 points on seven goals and four assists, Vita has utilized his outstanding speed and strong shot to come on strong over the past few weeks. He assisted on the first goal against Loyola Wednesday, then scored the second just 41 seconds into the second half off an indirect free kick in the penalty area. He scored George Mason's first goal Sunday against Princeton, then assisted on the second. For the season, Vita ranks fourth on the Patriots with 12 points on four goals and four assists, and he is tied for ninth in the Colonial Athletic Association in scoring.
For his career, Vita currently ranks tied for 12th with Brendan McIntyre (1981-84) and Patriots' assistant coach Greg Franzke (1989-92) on the George Mason all-time assists list with 14. He also ranks 17th with 40 career points and 20th with 13 goals.
"Mark is a threat to any defense," said George Mason head coach Gordon Bradley. "His confidence level is at a peak right now, and he should continue to be strong for us through the toughest part of our schedule."