August 29, 2002
GREENVILLE, SC -- The tenth ranked Furman men's soccer team will open its 2002 campaign Friday night against The Citadel in Charleston at 5:00 p.m.
Expectations are high for the 16-time Southern Conference champions as Furman is coming off three straight NCAA Tournament appearances. The Paladins currently hold a 33-match conference unbeaten streak, dating back to the start of the 1999 season.
Among the returning starters are senior Anthony Esquivel, the 2001 Southern Conference Tournament MVP, and sophomore Ricardo Clark, a member of the United States U-20 National Team. Also returning for Furman are junior McNeil Cronin and sophomore Clint Dempsey, the 2000 and 2001 Southern Conference Freshmen-of-the-Years. Furman also welcomes the third best recruiting class in the nation, according to College Soccer News.
The Citadel is coming off an 0-14 season in 2001 that included a 5-0 loss to Furman. Furman has defeated The Citadel 25 consecutive times. Furman played one preseason match, a 2-0 victory over Coastal Carolina in which freshman Drew Moor and senior Anthony Esquivel tallied goals.