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MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University men's soccer team will host the 2002 First-Knox Cougar Invitational on Friday and Saturday at Cougar Field in what should prove to be two exciting days of college soccer.

"We are looking forward to a very competitive tournament field this year," said MVNU head coach Paul Furey. "The three teams that we are bringing in have all established themselves with rich soccer traditions. We are extremely thankful to First-Knox National Bank for their sponsorship that allows us to put on a first-class event."

MVNU will enter the tournament with a 1-1-0 overall record after playing its first two matches in Idaho. The Cougars, who have been pretty banged up and battling injuries in the early going, are led by freshman forward Jeffrey Hinds, who leads the team with three goals. Junior forward Dave Barry has also scored one goal for MVNU, while senior goalkeeper Trevor Knowles has allowed just two goals as he has already posted one shutout.

The Cougars will square off with Lee (Tenn.) University on Friday at 4:00 p.m. The Flames posted a season-opening 4-1 victory over Warren Wilson (N.C.) College on Tuesday as freshman forward Ben Stewart, senior midfielder Bruno Campos, freshman forward Tousha Benjamin, and sophomore midfielder Jason Blount each scored. Lee is coming off a 10-7-1 season in 2001.

The first match on Friday will feature Cumberland (Ky.) College versus Geneva (Pa.) College at 2:00 p.m. Cumberland will enter play in the tournament with an 0-1-0 record after dropping a hard-fought 3-2 decision to Milligan (Tenn.) College on Saturday. Senior midfielder Erasto Neptune scored one goal and assisted on the other goal, while freshman forward Eric Corscadden added a goal.

The Golden Tornadoes of Geneva will enter play this weekend with a 1-1-0 record. After opening the season with a 2-0 win over Grove City (Pa.) College, Geneva dropped a 6-1 decision to Tiffin University on Monday. Freshman forward Scott Holden, sophomore forward Dan Manius, and senior forward Nate Gardner have each scored a goal for the Golden Tornadoes this season.

On Saturday, Lee and Geneva will play the first match of the day at 1:00 p.m. followed by the match between MVNU and Cumberland at 3:00 p.m. Following the second match, there will be an awards presentation for the All-Tournament Team and championship trophy.