Four-year starting goalkeeper from 1983-1986…first four-year starter in program history…career goals against average of 0.97 ranks eighth all-time…first all-time in saves (333) and shutouts (31)…his 0.28 goals against average in 1986 ranks first on USF’s single-season list…ranks fourth (100), fifth (97) and ninth (78) on USF’s single-season save list…played on three NCAA Tournament teams…helped the Dons to a quarterfinal appearance as a freshman in 1983…team posted a 63-21-10 record in his four seasons in net.
1983 West Coast Conference Champions
Head Coach: Steve Negoesco
Overall Record: 19-6-0 WCC Record: 5-2-0
All-WCC Team: Cato Anderson, Ken Boardman, Vidar Larsen
Most Goals: Cato Anderson (13) Most Assists: Cato Anderson (12)
Most Points: Cato Anderson (38 – 13 goals, 12 assists) Goals Against Average: Mark Powell (1.46)
USF Hall-of-Famers: Erik Nielsen, Steve Negoesco
The 1983 Dons won the West Coast Athletic Conference postseason tournament despite youth and inexperience. USF Head Coach Steve Negoesco started five freshman – and in key roles - as the Don’s top scorer Cato Anderson was a freshman, as well as both goalies – Mark Powell and Arild Haugan.
One of the season highlights was capturing the Metropolitan Classic with a 2-1 win over national power Virginia. The Dons also handled BYU (7-3), Santa Clara (4-1), Stanford (2-1) and Fresno State (5-1) over the course of a 19-win campaign.
The Dons swept through the WCAC postseason tournament, first manhandling Loyola Marymount 8-0 as Jan Helge Schifloe recorded a hat trick with three goals. In the title game, USF prevailed over Portland 4-1.
The Dons met powerhouse UCLA in the opening round of the NCAA playoffs. The Bruins had defeated USF 3-2 back on September 20 at Negoesco Stadium. But this was November – and the playoff-tested Dons blanked the mighty Bruins 5-0, as five different USF players scored goals. The Dons then captured the NCAA Western regional with a thrilling 3-2 win over UNLV. The Dons season came to a bitter end in the NCAA quarterfinals as nationally ranked Virginia gained revenge, and defeated USF 3-2 in a re-match of there earlier contest.
USF said so long to outstanding senior “Super-sweeper” Erik Nielsen from Oslo, Norway. Nielsen was a two-time All-American during a storied four-year career on the Hilltop. He also earned First Team All-Conference honors three times.
Did You Know? Mark Powell a freshman in 1983 became the first Dons goalie in history to start all four years at USF. Powell played in 84 games, recording 333 saves, 31 shutouts and allowed only 83 goals. His trademark was his aggressive play in one-on-one situations.
