August 30, 2000
GREENVILLE, SC -- The Furman men's soccer team is ranked tenth in the nation in the Soccer America preseason poll released this week.
The Paladins are also ranked fifth in the NSCAA preseason poll, which was released in July.
Furman concluded the 1999 season ranked fifth in the NSCAA poll and third in the Soccer America rankings. The Paladins advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament after defeating North Carolina and Wake Forest in the first two rounds.
Despite the loss of several talented seniors, Furman returns an exceptional nucleus and has its hopes set high for another record setting season. Among those returning are first team All American forward John Barry Nusum and second team All American Matt Goldsmith. Nusum led the team with 17 goals and nine assists last season.
The Paladins were the unanimous choice to win the Southern Confernece championship in a poll of league coaches.
Furman opens the season Friday, September 1 against Georgia State at 5 p.m. at Eugene Stone Soccer Stadium. The match was originally scheduled as part of the Coastal Carolina Tournament, but the decision was made to move the match to Greenville on Tuesday.
Duke is the preseason No. 1 followed by Connecticut and Virginia.