September 18, 2000
GREENVILLE, SC -- For the first time in the seven-year history of the program, the Furman women's soccer team is ranked in the nation's top 25.
The Lady Paladins are ranked in two national polls as Furman is 23rd in Soccer Buzz and 25th in the latest American Soccer Writers (ASW) national poll. Furman is 8-0 on the season and off to its best start in school history. The Lady Paladins are fresh off a 10-1 victory over SEC foe Mississippi State on Saturday.
"One of our goals this season was to achieve a national ranking," said Furman head coach Brian Lee. "I am excited to see that we are ranked in the ASW poll. We still have a lot of soccer to play this season and a lot more to accomplish. Wešve had a good start to the season, but we have a huge week this week. We need to prove that we belong in the top 25."
Furman will host conference foe Appalachian State Wednesday at 5 p.m. before making the short drive to Clemson, S.C. to compete in the Clemson University Invitational this weekend. The Lady Paladins take on N.C. State Friday at 4:30 p.m. and face #3 Clemson Saturday at 7 p.m.
Furman's offensive attack, the second best in the nation, has been led by a trio of forwards. Freshman Danielle Petro (11 goals, 4 assists), junior Melissa Turner (10 goals, 5 assists), and freshman Emily Turgeon (8 goals, 7 assists) have provided a huge offensive spark for the Lady Paladins. All American Kaye Brownlee has recorded seven assists on the year and three game-winning goals. The Furman defense has also been stingy, allowing 0.88 goals per match.
The Lady Paladins have come a long way since 1994, when Lee started the program from scratch. Furman posted a 4-14 record in its inaugural campaign and recorded its first winning season in 1997. Since the start of last season, only Nebraska (30-1-2) and North Carolina (32-3) has a better record than Furman (28-3) in the nation.
Furman has currently won 16 straight regular season matches and 19 of its last 20 overall matches. Furman has not trailed at all in the 2000 campaign as they have racked up victories over two teams from the SEC, one from the Big East, and one from Conference USA this season.
In other polls released Monday, the Lady Paladins are ranked sixth in the Southeast Region by the NSCAA and are receiving votes in the NSCAA national poll. Furman is ranked fifth in the Soccer Buzz regional poll.
ASW is a collection of professional journalists and writers from across the United States, representing each region and nearly 30 separate publications. It is the most successful attempt at an AP-style poll for NCAA women's soccer to date.
American Soccer Writers Top 25
Soccer Buzz Top 25
NSCAA Southeast Region Poll