August 25, 2000

FURMAN MEN'S SOCCER TOPS CHARLESTON SOUTHERN IN SCRIMMAGE

GREENVILLE, SC -- The Furman men's soccer team won it¹s opening scrimmage of the 2000 season this week with a 3-1 victory over Charleston Southern.

Preseason All American John Barry Nusum showed his routine form as he connected on the first two goals of the scrimmage to give the Paladins a 2-0 lead. Freshman Sergei Raad, who started at forward with Nusum, recorded the assist on both of Nusum¹s goals. Sophomore dual sport standout Clint Hill scored the third goal for the Paladins. Charleston Southern added its goal in match¹s final 10 seconds.

The Paladins enter the 2000 season with high expectations after one of the best seasons of any athletic team in school history in 1999. Last season, Furman advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament, posted a 21-2-1 record, and concluded the year ranked No. 3 by Soccer America and No. 5 by the NSCAA.

Furman opens the 2000 season ranked No. 5 by the NSCAA. The Paladins were also the unanimous choice among eligible voters in the Southern Conference preseason coach¹s poll.

Furman returns a talented nucleus of players, including first team All American forward John Barry Nusum and second team All American Matt Goldsmith. Both Goldsmith and Nusum were selected by College Soccer Online as preseason All Americans. Furman will count on captains Carl Junot and Scott Blount for leadership.

Furman opens the season September 1 against Georgia State in Conway, S.C.