August 28, 2000

GEORGETOWN MATCH SERVES AS HOMECOMING FOR THREE LADY PALADNS

GREENVILLE, SC -- Furman's match at Georgetown Tuesday is more than just the second match of the season for three members of the Furman women¹s soccer, it represents each player¹s homecoming match.

Furman seniors Sarah Tollick (Columbia, Md.) and Bridgett Giles (Herndon, Va.), and junior Kathy Gaertner (Ellicot City, Md.) each hail from the Washington D.C. area and will be playing their first and probably only match in their home region.

"I scheduled this match to give these three girls, who have been such an instrumental part of our program, a chance to play in front of their hometown friends and family. It also gives us a chance to play a quality Big East opponent in Georgetwon, someone we wouldn¹t normally get the chance to play."

Sarah Tollick has served as team captain for the last two seasons and ranks among Furman¹s leaders in goals (15), assists (23), and points (53). She has started every match Furman has played since she arrived as a freshman in 1997. Tollick¹s first collegiate goal as a freshman is one of the most memorable in Furman history as she connected on the game-winner to beat Florida State in match¹s final minute in a driving rain storm.

Bridgett Giles is a two-time All-Southern Conference defender at marking back and has anchored one side of the Lady Paladin defense over the last two seasons. Giles started her career as a forward before moving to marking back at the end of her freshman season.

Junior Kathy Gaertner has played just about every position on the field over her career. She began her career as a forward and midfielder, scoring seven goals and recording six assists as a freshman. Gaertner is now the Lady Paladins¹ starting central defender.

All three Washington, D.C. area players have played key roles in Furman¹s success over the past few years. Last year, Furman posted its best season in school history with a 20-3 record. The Lady Paladins advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history and won the Southern Conference regular season and tournament titles.

Furman opened the 2000 season with an 8-0 shutout of East Tennessee State