August 13, 2003
GREENVILLE - The Furman women's soccer team held its first preseason practice on Wednesday morning after reporting to campus on Monday in preparation for the 2003 season.
Head coach Brian Lee was not with the team, as his wife, Nancy, gave birth to the couple's first child on Tuesday night. Aidan Repsher Lee was born at 10:35 p.m. at St. Francis Women's Hospital. He weighed seven pounds, 14 ounces.
Assistant coach Andrew Burr will conduct preseason practices throughout this week.
"This is a very exciting time for my wife and I," said Lee. "My focus right now is with Nancy and Aidan, but I know the women's soccer program is in the capable hands of Andrew Burr right now."
Furman welcomed 19 players to campus, including three freshmen. Leading the charge for the Lady Paladins is senior Emily Turgeon, the two-time Southern Conference Player-of-the-Year.
The Lady Paladins will open the 2003 campaign with a trip to Michigan State on August 29. Furman's home schedule opens on September 12 as Furman hosts the Select Kickoff Classic presented by Land Rover. Furman will face Rhode Island in the opening round of the tournament and battle Dayton on September 14.
Head coach Brian Lee returns nine starters off a squad that finished the 2002 season with a 16-6-1 record as it won its fourth straight SoCon regular season title, its second SoCon Tournament title, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in four seasons.