August 7, 2001
GREENVILLE, SC -- Instead of the normal preseason routine of two-a-days in the South Carolina heat, the Furman women's soccer team will venture to Europe for eleven days from August 16-26.
Traveling through four countries, the Lady Paladins will conduct preseason workouts, play four matches against English and Dutch Premier Level teams, participate in the 2001 Star Cup in Holland, as well as do their share of sightseeing.
"With a strong group of returning upperclassmen, I thought it would make more sense to play some matches in the preseason as opposed to the normal grind of continuous two-a-days," said Furman head coach Brian Lee. "The NCAA allows us to take a trip like this once every four years and we would like to continue to make these kinds of preseason trips, when the makeup of our team warrants it."
Furman will play three matches against European professional teams in England and will practice once a day. In addition, a tour of the Rhine through Germany is scheduled.
The trip is being planned by Harvard Sports Tours. Other Division I women's college programs who will be in Europe at the same time as Furman are Maryland, George Mason, Vanderbilt, Pepperdine, and Yale.
Furman's new athletic website, www.furmanpaladins.com, will feature a diary from Furman senior Melissa Turner during the trip.
The Lady Paladins are coming off back-to-back 20-3 campaigns in which they qualified for the NCAA Tournament. Furman opens the 2001 campaign against LaSalle in the Baylor Labor Day Classic on August 31. Furman's schedule also includes home matches against Clemson and Vanderbilt.
(In addition to daily training)
Thursday, August 16 - Depart for Brussels, Belgium
Friday, August 17 - Tour of Brussel, Belgium
Saturday, August 18 - Participate in Star Cup in Stein, Holland against Belgium and Dutch teams
Sunday, August 19 - Tour of the Rhine River
Monday, August 20 - GAME #1 vs. V.V. Helchteren, tour Maastricht, Holland
Tuesday, August 21 - GAME #2 vs. Everton LFC in Chester, England
Wednesday, August 22 - GAME #3 vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers in Midlands (England)
Thursday, August 23 - GAME #4 vs. Southampton Saints in London, England
Friday, August 24 - Tour of London, England
Saturday, August 25 - Buckingham Palace, Attend Division I game between Millwall and Burnley
Sunday, August 26 - Return home