The Morning Breakdown talks soccer with men's coach Andrulis

Freshman midfielder Verneri Valimaa, ranked as the 32nd best recruit in the nation, has been a bright spot in the Patriots' offense and has already been named the CAA Rookie of the Week (John Powell).

The George Mason men's soccer team (4-2-2) cracked the Soccer America Men's Top 25 poll this week, sitting at No. 18, following an impressive unbeaten run against three consecutive ranked opponents.

After tying then-No. 8 Central Florida, the Patriots defeated Cal State Fullerton and then-No. 11 Old Dominion to kick off CAA competition, earning their first ranking of the young season. This is the squad's third time cracking the Top 25 in the past four years.

"We put together a very difficult schedule from start to finish leading into the conference," head coach Greg Andrulis told the Morning Breakdown, "and I think we grew an awful lot during that time, especially since we were integrating so many new guys."

Click here to listen to the Morning Breakdown's interview with Andrulis.

Mason returns to action Saturday, Oct. 1 against VCU in Richmond to continue CAA play, putting their national ranking on the line.