August 25, 1999

FURMAN WOMEN'S SOCCER PICKED TO WIN SOUTHERN CONFERENCE

GREENVILLE, SC -- The Furman University women's soccer team was picked first by the league coaches in the Southern Conference preseason poll released Wednesday.

The Lady Paladins share the favorite role with defending champion UNC Greensboro, as each received five first place votes. Georgia Southern was slated for third.

Furman enters the 1999 season with high expectations after strong years in 1997 and 1998. This year's squad returns 10 starters and seven all-conference performers while adding 12 newcomers. Furman has been selected ninth in the Soccer Buzz preseason South Region ranking. No other league school is represented in the Soccer Buzz poll.

Among the Lady Paladins' top returnees are senior Melissa Sutton and sophomore Kaye Brownlee. Sutton is Furman's all-time leader in goals, points, and assists and will look to expand on her scoring role as a senior. Brownlee returns after garnering numerous freshman accolades, including Soccer Buzz First Team Freshman All-American and all-region citations by the NSCAA and by Soccer Buzz. She also finished second in nation in assists per match as she recorded 19 assists in her freshman campaign.

1999 Southern Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Furman 95 points

1. UNC Greensboro 95

3. Georgia Southern 77

4. Davidson 66

5. Wofford 58

6. Appalachian State 51

7. College of Charleston 45

8. East Tennessee State 25

9. Western Carolina 20

10. Chattanooga` 18