Furman-Appalachian State Meet For 34th Time
This Southern Conference semifinal match marks the 34th time these two rivals have met, with Appalachian State holding a slim17-15-1 advantage. Furman, though, has a 14-4 record against Appalachian State since 1986. The Paladins and Mountaineers have met five times in the Southern Conference Tournament, with Furman holding a 3-2 advantage. Furman has outscored Appalachian State 10-0 in the three previous meetings, including a 6-0 victory this season.
Southern Conference Dominance
Furman's dominance of Southern Conference soccer over the past 16 years has been exceptional. The Paladins have claimed the Southern Conference regular season title in 13 of the last 16 seasons. With a 3-1 victory over UNC Greensboro in last season's Southern Conference title match, Furman claimed its seventh tournament title in the last ten years. Furman hos posted an incredible 84-8 Southern Conference record since 1983. Since 1986, Furman has either won the Southern Conference regular season or the tournament every season.
Furman In The National Polls
Furman has been ranked in the Soccer America and Soccer News National Polls the entire 1998 season. The Paladins began the season ranked 16th by Soccer America, have been ranked as high as 12th, and are currently #13. Furman began the season ranked 19th by Soccer News, moved as high as 10th, and are currently #19. Furman has also been ranked for much of the season in the ESPN.com/SoccerTimes poll and has been in and out of the NSCAA/Umbro poll.
A Success On the Sidelines
Doug Allison made his mark on the collegiate soccer scene in the 1980s as a player for South Carolina, and is now doing the same in the 1990s as a coach for Furman. Allison, South Carolina's all-time leading scorer, is not eligible to be ranked among the nation's coaching leaders since he is only in his fourth season. If he were, he would rank as the ninth most successful coach in NCAA history (56-18-6 record, .738 winning percentage). Allison will be eligible after the 1999 season and could be recognized as one of the ten most successful coaches in Division I history at that time.
A Bermuda Success Story
Freshman John Barry Nusum, from Devonshire, Bermuda, has played a key roll in Furman's offensive attack this season. Nusum, only 17 years old, is Furman's leading scorer with 10 goals and 10 assists on the season. His 30 points rank eighth all-time for Furman. He has been named the Southern Conference Player-of-the-Week and has been named to the Soccer America Team of the Week this season. In addition, Nusum is already in the Furman record books as he tied Furman's single game goals and points record with a four-goal, one-assist (9 points) performance in a 6-0 victory over Appalachian State on October 18. In Furman's last six matches, Nusum has tallied an impressive seven goals and five assists.
Alvarez, Nusum Eye Mark
Junior Daniel Alvarez and freshman John Barry Nusum lead the Paladins with ten assists and are only two assists shy of tying Furman's single season assist record of 12 set in 1996. Alvarez has recorded 20 assists over the last two seasons and is currently #5 all-time on Furman's assist chart.
Pascale Among Nation's Best
Goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale is once again among the nations best in goals against average. His current GAA of 0.63 places him 10th in the nation. Pascale has also recorded 11 shutouts this season, which ties a school record set in 1991 by Ed Stein. He has 34 shutouts in his career, easily the best in Furman's history.
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