August 22, 2001
GREENVILLE, SC -- The Furman men's soccer team is ranked fifth in the nation in the Soccer America preseason poll released Wednesday.
Defending national champion UConn is the preseason No. 1, followed by SMU, Virginia, and Indiana. Furman is also ranked in the top ten by internet site College Soccer News, as the Paladins are ranked seventh in that poll.
Furman's showing in the Soccer America poll matches its highest ever preseason ranking. Furman also opened the 2000 campaign ranked fifth in the NSCAA poll. Furmanıs highest ever ranking is third by Soccer America in 1999.
Furman welcomes back ten starters from last year's squad that finished 17-4-2 and claimed the Southern Conference regular season and tournament titles. The Paladins have qualified for the NCAA Tournament each of the past two seasons, advancing to the quarterfinals in 1999 and falling in the first round in 2000.
Among the Furman returning stars is Hermann Trophy finalist, two-time first team All-American John Barry Nusum. Nusum scored 18 goals and recorded 12 assists a year ago as he finished fourth in the nation in points per match. All American Matt Goldsmith and Southern Conference freshman-of-the-year McNeil Cronin will also help anchor a talented Furman squad this season.
Furman will host the U.S. Under-17 National Team this Friday in an exhibition match and the Paladins open the 2001 campaign at home against Belmont on August 31. Its 2001 schedule features home matches against Notre Dame, Clemson, and South Carolina as well as matches against Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan.
Soccer America Preseason Top 20