October 20, 1999

FURMAN'S RODRIGUEZ NAMED TO SOCCER AMERICA TEAM OF THE WEEK

GREENVILLE, SC -- Furman's Stephen Rodriguez was named to the Soccer America Team-of-the-Week after helping Furman to two key SoCon road wins last week.

Rodriguez, a senior midfielder from New Braunfels, Texas, scored the lone goal in Furman's 1-0 victory over Appalachian State and scored the clincher in Furman's 3-1 victory over UNC Greensboro. Both Appalachian State and UNC Greensboro were unbeaten in the conference before falling to the Paladins.

The Paladins vaulted to 8th in the nation in the latest Soccer America poll and 10th in the NSCAA poll to give Furman it's highest-ever soccer ranking.

"Stephen played two very good matches this week, said Furman head coach Doug Allison. "He came up with some big goals for us when we needed it. He is certainly deserving of this award."

Furman is currently 11-1-1 overall and 5-0 in the Southern Conference. The Paladins have two more Southern Conference matches this week as the travel to Davidson for a 7 p.m. Friday match and host VMI Sunday at 2 p.m.

Rodriguez' selection marks the second time this season that a Paladin has made the Soccer America Team-of-the-Week as Scott Blount made the team in week one. Earlier this week, Rodriguez was named Southern Conference player-of-the-week.

Soccer America Team of the Week (October 11-17)

GK - Matt Hall, San Diego

D - Chris Gbandi, U Conn

D - David Williams, St. Louis

MF - Stephen Rodriguez, Furman

MF - Doak Van Enk, Texas Christian

MF - Chris Lonteen, Wake Forest

MF - Yuri Lavrinenko, Indiana

F - Peterson Jerome, Ohio State

F - Kendall Simmnds, California

F - Guilana Celenza, UMBC

F - Taylor Twellman, Maryland