July 21, 2003

FURMAN SOCCER RANKED NINTH BY COLLEGE SOCCER NEWS

Greenville, S.C. -- The Furman men's soccer team has been tabbed ninth by College Soccer News in its preseason poll released this week. The national ranking marks the fourth straight year the Paladins have appeared in the College Soccer News preseason top ten.

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 top-ranked Maryland in the Diadora Challenge at Creighton University. 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.

College Soccer News is an internet site devoted solely to men's college soccer. The site will release a weekly top 30 national poll as well as a national player-of-the-week each week during the season. The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and Soccer America, will release preseason polls in the coming weeks.