August 4, 1999

FURMAN WOMEN'S SOCCER EARNS PRESEASON REGIONAL RANKING

GREENVILLE, SC -- The Furman women's soccer team is ranked ninth in the Soccer Buzz Magazine South Region preseason poll, released Wednesday.

This marks the first-ever appearance in the Soccer Buzz Magazine rankings for the five year old program. The Lady Paladins were ranked 10th in the region by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) during the 1997 season.

"I am excited to see that we are receiving some preseason attention," said head coach Brian Lee. "I think that we have the potential to have a very good team this year, but we will have to prove it once the season kicks off."

The Furman women's soccer team enters the 1999 season with high expectations after strong years in 1997 and 1998. Last season, the Lady Paladins went 13-8 and finished second in the Southern Conference. The 1999 squad returns 10 starters and seven all-conference performers while adding 12 newcomers.

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.

Players report to campus on Wednesday, August 10, and will begin their 1999 campaign on Thursday, August 11. Furman opens at Western Carolina on August 27 in the school's 100th women's soccer match.