Nov. 8, 2004

Greenville, S.C. -

The Furman women's soccer team will face 11th-seeded and regional host Tennessee Friday at 5:30 p.m. in the NCAA Women's Soccer Championships first round at the UT Soccer Complex in Knoxville, Tenn.

"Tennessee is well coached team. Angie Kelly, Samantha Baggett and Scott Blount are one of the top staffs in the country," said Furman head coach Brian Lee. "We will have to be at our best to have a chance to advance."

Furman earned its fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in the past six years downing Davidson 3-1 on Sunday to receive the Southern Conference's automatic bid to the 64-team field, after claiming its third SoCon Tournament title.

Furman and Tennessee last met in the opening round of the 2002 NCAA Championships in Knoxville. The Lady Vols topped Furman 5-0 in the only meeting between the two schools. Tennessee placed eighth in last week's NSCAA/adidas top 25 while holding down the 13th spot in the latest Soccer Buzz rankings. The Lady Vols, who fell to Florida 2-1 in the SEC title match this weekend, currently sport 15-4-2 record.

The Lady Paladins, 14-8-0 on the season and 12th in the latest Soccer Buzz Southeast region poll, have won 12 of their last 13 matches. During the streak, Furman has posted eight shutouts and allowed just eight goals. With eight shutouts on the season, junior goalkeeper Andie Hinshaw has moved into first on the Southern Conference and Furman all-time shutout ledgers with 25. The Raleigh, N.C., native stands one clean sheet short of equaling her own school record of nine shutouts set in 2002.

Despite missing five matches during the middle of the SoCon schedule, forward Andre'a Morrison has paced the Lady Paladins with nine goals and four assists. The junior recorded a hat trick in the opening 31 minutes of the match in Furman's 7-0 victory over Elon in the opening round of the league tournament before netting another goal just 9:20 into Sunday's championship tilt with Davidson.

The Kernersville, N.C., product garnered Southern Conference Tournament MVP honors for her efforts in leading Furman to the title. Morrison became the first player in Southern Conference women's soccer history to win two mvp awards, having been named most valuable player after leading the Lady Paladin to the SoCon Tournament title in 2002.

The winner of Friday's Tennessee-Furman match will square off with the winner of the UAB-Wake Forest match which will be played at the UT Soccer Complex Friday at 8:00 p.m. The second round match would take place Sunday in Knoxville at 2:00 p.m.

NCAA Women's Soccer Championships Bracket

Furman's Previous NCAA Tournament Appearances

1999 - UCF           1-0  L
2000 - Duke          3-1  L
2002 - Tennessee  5-0  L