November 14, 2001
2001 Southern Conference Tournament Guide
GREENVILLE, SC --The Furman University men's soccer team opens the 2001 Southern Conference Tournament Thursday at 4:30 p.m against Upstate foe Wofford.
Furman finished the regular season with a perfect 8-0 league mark for the third straight season and its 30 match conference unbeaten streak ranks as the fifth best all-time. Furman has now won the last four Southern Conference regular season titles, 11 of the last 12, and 16 of the last 19.
Furman will be seeking its tenth SoCon Tournament Championship and its third in a row.
The Paladins will enter the tournament paced offensively by senior forward John Barry Nusum. Nusum, a finalist for the Hermann Trophy and MAC Award, leads the team with 15 goals and 7 assists on the year. Sophomore Sergei Raad has paced the team wil 10 assists on the season.
Furman will also look to a defense anchored by goalkeeper Scott blount. Blount currently boasts a 0.96 goals against average, and has recorded shutouts in three of the last four matches.
"We are as healthy right now as we have been all season," said head coach Doug Allison. "I look forward to an exciting weekend of soccer. For the first time, an automatic bid is on the line, so this is a huge weekend. "
The Southern Conference Tournament champion receives an automatic bid into the 64-team NCAA Tournament. Furman is looking to earn a spot in that field for the third consecutive year.
In 1999, the Paladins advanced to the quarterfinals with wins over North Carolina and Wake Forest before falling to UConn. Last season, Furman dropped a 3-2 decision to Clemson in the first round.
Furman (14-4 overall, 8-0 SoCon) will open the 2001 Southern Conference Tournament on Thursday at 4:30 at Patriots Point in Chrleston against Wofford (4-12,1-6-1 SoCon).
2001 Southern Conference Tournament Schedule (@Patriots Point, Charleston, SC)
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday