August 23, 2003
Greenville, S.C. -- The Furman men's soccer team is ranked 15th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) preseason poll.
Last month, the Paladins were tabbed ninth by College Soccer News. Soccer America will release its preseason national poll next week.
Head coach Doug Allison returns six starters, including senior captains McNeil Cronin and Kenny Penn and second team All-American Clint Dempsey, from the 2002 squad which finished 19-3-1 and reached the NCAA tournament's round of 16.
Furman opens its season on August 29, when it battles preseason No. 2 Maryland in the Diadora Challenge at Creighton University. The Terrapins are ranked No. 1 in the College Soccer News poll. The Paladins open their home schedule versus South Florida on September 5, in the Diadora/Spinx Furman Invitational.
The Paladins have qualified for the NCAA Tournament each of the past four seasons. Furman currently owns an NCAA record 43-match Southern Conference unbeaten streak as it has won the last four Southern Conference titles.