The Southern Conference menÆs soccer coaches have selected Furman to repeat as the regular season champions. The coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams in the balloting process. Furman received eight of the nine first place votes with UNC Greensboro receiving the ninth and tabbed to finish second. College of Charleston edged Davidson for third by one vote with Appalachian State taking fifth, only two votes ahead of Georgia Southern. Wofford was selected to finish seventh with VMI and The Citadel rounding out the group. The Paladins swept the regular season in 2000 and won the SoCon tournament. Furman then defeated Radford in the NCAA Play-In match before falling to Clemson 3-2 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The senior-laden preseason all-conference team consists seven returning first team all-conference and three second team all-conference selections from 2000. Furman led the squad with five selections, including four first team all-conference selections. Senior forward John Barry Nusum led the league in 2000 with 48 points and 18 goals while posting 12 assists. Senior goalkeeper Scott Blount led the league with eight shutouts and a 0.86 goals against average while making 77 saves. Sophomore McNeil Cronin, the 2000 Freshman of the Year, led the league with 15 assists and ranked among the leagueÆs points leaders. Senior midfielder Matt Goldsmith and senior defender Jack Handy were also named to the team. UNC Greensboro had three preseason selections. Senior Alejandro Moreno finished the season third among the conference leaders with 36 points and 15 goals. Junior midfielder Chris Goos ranked fourth among the goals leaders with 13 and tied for third with 10 assists. Senior defender Mike Hemphill also received the preseason honor. Two seniors represent the Davidson squad. Forward Jon Tetirick tallied 27 points last season, tied for fifth in the conference and knocked in 11 goals, good for sixth. Midfielder Erik Ozimek ranked among the conference leaders with six assists and 18 points. Three teams places one athlete apiece on the preseason squad. Appalachian StateÆs Jordy Broder was the 2000 SoCon Player of the Year. The senior forward was second in the league with 41 points and 17 goals. Georgia Southern midfielder Jeff Russell represents the Eagles. The junior midfielder ranked among the conference leaders with 15 points last season, including five goals and five assists. College of CharlestonÆs Tyler Beckstead rounds out the squad. A junior defender, Beckstead started in 21 games for the Cougars and scored two goals last season. 2001 Southern Conference Preseason Poll
| 1. Furman (8) 64 |
| 2. UNC Greensboro (1) 56 |
| 3. College of Charleston 47 |
| 4. Davidson 46 |
| 5. Appalachian State 37 |
| 6. Georgia Southern 35 |
| 7. Wofford 20 |
| 8. VMI 15 |
| 9. The Citadel 10 |