Furman University’s Men’s Soccer program has been honored with their fourth consecutive United Soccer Coaches Team Academic awards, their eighth since 2011. The team posted a collective GPA of 3.43 this past spring, naming 23 players to the 2019-2020 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll. 

As the reigning Southern Conference regular season champions and the 2018 Southern Conference tournament champions, the Paladins have shown consistent dominance on field and in the classroom. Coach Doug Allison leads his team as last year’s Southern Conference Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year, his eighth honor in 25 seasons with the Paladins. He surpassed the 300th win mark this past season, becoming the winningest coach in Southern Conference history. Coach Allison’s veteran squad includes captains Ben Hale, 2018 Southern Conference Goalkeeper of the Year, Miles Fenton, second team all-league midfielder, and Cole McLagan, first-team all-Southern Conference defender.

“It’s incredible the fire the boys have in them to compete and learn at such a high level,” said McLagan. The team emphasizes the importance of learning off the field to prepare for their future after graduation and after soccer. “They want to grow off the field as much as on it,” finished McLagan. As last year’s leading scorer with eight goals, three assists and 18 starts in 18 matches, McLagan exemplifies team leadership and growth on the field. 

On the back line with McLagan, defender Tommy Kay joined Fenton with second team all-league honors as well as Southern Conference all-freshman team honors alongside midfielders Callum Holland and Dylan Lane and forward Shaun-Chris Joash. 

The Men’s Soccer program welcomes an experienced group of rookies for their delayed 2020 season. Midfielder Conor Dowler comes to Furman as a product of the Greenville Triumph academy and as a 2019 Southeast High School All-American. Jack Raine joins Furman as the Repton School’s all-time top scoring forward with 83 goals in 83 matches. Experienced defender Josh Hosie brings in 10 years of academy experience playing with Everton FC and time with Wales’ U-17 squad.  

Training and hard work continues for the men’s squad while they wait for further updates on their spring season, hoping to defend their regular season title and add a 15th Southern Conference Tournament crown.