August 28, 2003
GREENVILLE, SC -- The Furman men's soccer team, ranked ninth by College Soccer News, will kick off the 2003 season Friday night when it faces preseason top-ranked Maryland in the Diadora Challenge at Creighton University at 5:30.
The Paladins, picked to win the Southern Conference by the league's coaches this week, will battle either Butler of host Creighton in the tournament's second round Sunday afternoon. Along with No. 1 Maryland and No. 9 Furman, eighth-ranked Creighton gives the Diadora Challenge three ranked teams. Both Creighton and Maryland advanced to the College Cup, the men's soccer final four, last season.
"We are excited to get the season started this weekend," said Furman head coach Doug Allison. "We are going to be tested by the best in the country from the very beginning, so we should be able to see where we stand."
Head coach Doug Allison's team enters Friday's match sporting six returning starters from a 2002 team that went 19-3-1 and reached the NCAA tournament's round of 16. Furman is also currently riding a 43-match Southern Conference unbeaten streak. and has won the last four league titles.
The Paladins open their home schedule on September 5, when they host South Florida in the opening round of the Diadora/Spinx Furman Invitational.