July 2, 2001
GREENVILLE, SC -- Furman senior Jack Handy and sophomore McNeil Cronin were selected as two of the top 24 defenders in the nation according to college soccer internet site Mad Dog Soccer.
Handy is a three year starter at marking back for the Paladins and was a second team All Southern Conference selection as a junior. Handy has recorded three goals and eight assists over his career. He will anchor one side of Furman's defense again this season.
Cronin is coming off a tremendous freshman year in which he started every match at sweeper. Cronin earned third team NSCAA All-South Region citations as well as being named honorable mention College Soccer Online All American and earning Southern Conference Freshman-of-the-year honors. Cronin led the nation in assists, a remarkable feat for a defender.
Furman opens the 2001 campaign at home against Belmont on August 31 and its 2001 schedule features home matches against Notre Dame, Clemson, and South Carolina as well as matches against Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan. Furman concluded the 2000 campaign ranked 12th in the nation.