October 2, 2001

THIRD RANKED FURMAN MEN'S SOCCER SET TO HOST SOUTH CAROLINA

GREENVILLE, SC -- The third ranked Furman men's soccer team will host in-state rival South Carolina Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. in a key matchup with national implications. Ticket prices are $4 for adults and $2 for children.

Furmanšs national ranking of third in the latest Soccer America poll matches its highest ever national ranking. The last time the Paladins were ranked third in the nation was at the conclusion the 1999 season as Furman was ranked third by Soccer America. The Paladins advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament that year.

Furman is also ranked fifth in the College Soccer News poll and is ranked sixth in the NCAA Division I media poll. Furman is currently 7-0 on the season and 2-0 in the Southern Conference. The Paladins will be looking for their third win over a ranked opponent this year as Furman downed then-20th ranked Notre Dame 3-2 and then-20th ranked Virginia Commonwealth 3-0 earlier this season.

The Paladins currently lead the nation in scoring with 28 goals on the year for a 4.0 per match average. Hermann Trophy candidate John Barry Nusum leads the Paladins with seven goals and four assist on the year to rank fourth in the nation in points per match.

South Carolina enters the match ranked 13 by Soccer America, eighth in the Men's Media poll and seventh in the College Soccer News poll. The Gamecocks are 6-1 on the season and have defeated three ranked teams this year, including Penn State, currently ranked 12th in the Soccer America poll. South Carolina's only loss is a 3-2 loss to top ranked SMU.

"This will certainly be our toughest test of the season," said Furman head coach Doug Allison. "It should be a great atmosphere and I expect a tremendous crowd. It should be college soccer at its finest."

The Furman-South Carolina clash is also a match-up of two of the top coaches in the nation. Furman's Doug Allison recently claimed his 100th career victory as he ranks second among active coaches in winning percentage with a 102-25-9 career victory. Allison played college soccer at South Carolina and got his coaching start under Gamecock coach Mark Berson. Berson holds a 341-115-37 overall record and also ranks among the top ten in winning percentage.

Allison is still the all-time leading scorer in South Carolina history with 63 goals and 32 assists over his career from 1984-87.

Furman and South Carolina have battled to 1-1 ties each of the last two seasons.

Furman and South Carolina in the national polls:

Soccer America

Men's Soccer Media Top 20

College Soccer News Top 20