February 3, 2000

FURMAN WOMEN'S SOCCER ANNOUNCES TWO SIGNEES, ONE TRANSFER

GREENVILLE, SC -- Furman head women's soccer coach Brian Lee announced the signing of Danielle Petro and Emily Turgeon to national letters-of-intent on Thursday. Lee also announced that former Michigan Wolverine Nancy Mather has transferred to Furman and is currently enrolled in the University.

Danielle Petro is a powerful forward from Lilburn, Ga. After attending Norcross High School for three years, Petro transferred to perennial power Parkview High School for her senior year. Petro is a four-year member of the Region III Olympic Development Program (ODP) squad and has been a member of the Georgia State ODP team since 1995.

Emily Turgeon attends Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, N.C., and will likely step in as either a forward or midfielder in the Lady Paladin program. Turgeon was in the Region III pool in 1999 and has been a member of the North Carolina State ODP team since 1998. Turgeon plays for the CASL Spartan Speed club team and has helped guide the club to three state championships. Turgeon was selected all-state at Cardinal Gibbons and was the 1999 region and conference player-of-the-Year.

Nancy Mather played two seasons at Michigan, helping the Wolverines to the second round of the NCAA Tournament both seasons. Mather started 14 matches as a freshman and saw action in 17 matches as a sophomore for Michigan. She is a 1998 graduate of Westminster High School in Atlanta, Ga., and was a member of the Tophat Soccer Club, where she was a teammate of Furman career assist leader Kaye Brownlee.

"I am thrilled to welcome Emily, Danielle, and Nancy to the program," said Furman head coach Brian Lee. "Emily and Danielle are two of the best high school players in the South Region and will be tremendous assets to our team next season. Nancy Mather comes from a quality program at Michigan where she was a solid contributor. I expect her to be an important part of our team and increase our overall talent level."

Furman is coming off its best season in school history as it finished 20-3 and earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Lady Paladins won the Southern Conference tournament championship and finished the regular season with a perfect 9-0 league mark. The Lady Paladins lose two starters from the 1999 team and return 22 letterwinners.

Furman Women's Soccer Signees

Danielle Petro F Fr. 5-8 Lilburn, Ga. (Parkview)

Emily Turgeon MF/F Fr. 5-6 Raleigh, N.C. (Cardinal Gibbons)

Furman Women's Soccer Transfer

Nancy Mather MF/D Jr. 5-5 Atlanta, Ga. (Westminster/U. Michigan)