October 13, 1999

DANIEL ALVAREZ SETS CAREER ASSIST MARK

GREENVILLE, SC -- While the Furman men's soccer team continues on what could become the most successful year in the program's history, senior midfielder Daniel Alvarez is making some individual noise.

Alvarez, a senior from Fayetteville, N.C., broke the Furman career assist record in the Paladins' 1-0 victory over Appalachian State on Tuesday night. Jeff Jones, who competed on successful Furman teams from 1984-87, held the previous record of 33 career assists.

Alvarez, who has nine assists in 1999, may not be done setting assist records this season, as he is only three assists away from the single season record of 12 assists. Entering the week, Alvarez ranked eighth in the nation in assists per match.

A starter at midfield in 68 of 70 career matches, Alvarez has been one of Furman's most consistent and creative playmakers over the last four seasons. The two biggest assests that have enabled him to have such a productive career and set this record are his tremendous speed and unusually strong arm strength. Half of Alvarez' assists this season have come off 30-35 yard throw-ins that are more dangerous than a typical corner kick.

"I am really excited to see Daniel set this record," said Furman head coach Doug Allison. "He has been an instrumental component of our program over the last four years and I think this record shows that."

"It's nice to get this record with the team doing so well," said Alvarez. "I didn't really think much about the record during the season. I just figured that if we play well and get goals, then the assists would come. It's great to have guys like John Barry Nusum and Stephen Rodriguez finishing the passes. The way I look at it, assists in soccer are really a team thing anyway. My most important goal, though, is to reach the NCAA Tournament."

Alvarez is a two-time All-Southern Conference first team selection and a two-time NSCAA All-South Region pick. As a sophomore, Alvarez was a third team all region selection and was a second team pick as a junior. Furman has compiled a 56-15-4 overall record and has won two SoCon regular season and two SoCon tournament titles during Alvarez' career.

Furman is currently 10-1-1 on the season and ranked 11th in the nation in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll. The Paladins also place 13th in the Soccer Times coaches' poll and the Soccer America poll.