August 15, 2000
GREENVILLE, SC -- The Furman men's soccer team will hold its first practice of the 2000 season Wednesday morning at 9 a.m.
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 coachıs poll.
"I am excited about getting the guys out on the field," said Furman head coach Doug Allison. "They have been working hard all season and training together. Now its time to see where we stand and get this season underway."
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 last week. Furman will count on captains Carl Junot and Scott Blount for leadership. The Paladins also have a strong freshman class, headlined by McNeil Cronin, Sergei Raad, and Patrick Tanner.
Furman opens the season September 1 against Georgia State in Conway, S.C.