August 26, 1999

FURMAN TO KICK OFF WESTERN CAROLINA WOMEN'S SOCCER PROGRAM

GREENVILLE, SC -- The Furman University women's soccer team will open its 1999 season Friday against Western Carolina in Cullowhee, N.C., at 4 p.m. in a milestone match.

The match marks the 100th in the history of the six-year old Furman women's soccer program and the first-ever match for the Western Carolina soccer program. The match has additional special meaning for both schools as the head coach of the inaugural Lady Catamount soccer team is former Lady Paladin assistant Debbie Hensley.

"We are excited about getting the season rolling," said Furman head coach Brian Lee. "It is an honor to open up against Debbie's squad and to be a part of something as special as a program's first match. I know exactly what they are going through, as we did the same thing in 1994."

Furman was picked first by the league coaches in the Southern Conference preseason poll, while Western Carolina was selected ninth. Furman finished second in the Southern Conference last season with a 7-1 conference mark. The Lady Paladins are ranked ninth in the Soccer Buzz preseason South Region poll.

The Furman soccer program has tallied a 46-47-6 mark in its first five years of existence after starting 4-14 in its inaugural season in 1994. After winning the Southern Conference in the program's second year, the Lady Paladins have posted 12-6-2 and 13-8 seasons over the last two years.

Hensley served as Furman's assistant coach for three seasons from 1996-1998, helping to guide the Lady Paladins to a 33-24-5 overall mark and a 15-7-1 Southern Conference record.

Friday's match also marks the first Southern Conference event of the 1999-2000 athletic year.