Tyler Thornton

Furman Men’s Soccer is off to a strong start in the 2013 season, sporting a 7-1-1 record and a 16th overall ranking from TopDrawerSoccer.com. Following a tough loss to Akron in their second game of the season, they’ve gone on a seven game undefeated streak during which they have won six games and managed a +17 goal differential.

Recently the Cuban players have been making their presence known with great performances, and they’ve managed this despite relatively few numbers — there are just 21 Cuban players in the MLB, not even enough to field a full 25 man roster.

1. Who was the last Furman soccer player to score a hat trick before Bobby Edet did so against College of Charleston? Against who? 2. With what pick in the 2013 MLS draft was former Furman soccer player Walker Zimmerman taken? By what team? 3. When was the last time the Paladin’s soccer team scored at least 8 goals before their 8-0 win over Presbyterian? Against which team? 4. How many goals has senior Martin Ontiveros scored for the Furman soccer team? 5. How many career wins does coach Doug Allison have with the Paladins?

Furman’s first home soccer game of the season was a fantastic continuation of what has already been an exciting season. After a hard fought 4-3 win against Xavier to start the season and a strong, although unsuccessful, effort against nationally ranked Akron, the Paladins returned home to face College of Charleston.

1. Which two players participated in the longest tennis match ever recorded? How long was it? 2. Who threw the fastest-recorded pitch in MLB history? How fast was it? 3. Which two players are tied for the most sacks in a single Super Bowl game? How many? 4. Which tennis players, male and female, hold the records for fastest serve recorded? At what speed? 5. Who holds the record for most career inside-the-park home runs? How many?

Clint Dempsey, former Paladin, made his much anticipated return to Major League Soccer this season after spending the past seven years playing in England. Dempsey is best known for making the jump to the English Premier League, where he scored 57 goals, more than any other American-born player.

After a few seasons of falling just short of expectations, Furman’s men’s soccer team is looking to make an impact on the national scale this season. That goal may seem too lofty after the departures of two of their top players, Walker Zimmerman and Coleton Henning, but this year’s team might be even better.