1991 West Coast Conference Champions
Head Coach: Steve Negoesco
Overall Record: 17-4-0 WCC Record: 5-0-0
All-WCC Team: Staale Soebye, Angelo Sablo
Most Goals: Angelo Sablo (7) Most Assists: Cato Solberg (9)
Most Points: Angelo Sablo (20 – 7 goals, 6 assists)
Goals Against Average: Scott Thompson (0.70)
USF Hall-of-Famers: Staale Soebye, Steve Negoesco
1991 was another banner year in USF soccer annals, featuring outstanding players and unselfish teamwork. The Dons completed a perfect 5-0-0 slate to win the West Coast Conference title, only the second time that had been achieved since the WCC went to round-robin play.
Highlights of the season were wins over Florida International (4-3 in overtime), Portland (1-0), California (2-0), UCLA (1-0), and Santa Clara (3-0). The wins over the highly touted Bruins and Broncos came in front of sellout crowds at Negoesco Stadium.
After winning 10 of its final 11 games, USF (despite having a better record) was forced to travel to Fresno State for a first round NCAA playoff game where an overtime goal by the Bulldogs ended the season with a bitter 1-0 defeat.
Cato Solberg was named MVP of two regular season tournaments – the Met Life Classic and the San Jose Classic, both won by USF. Defensively, Matt Snyder became a highly effective sweeper to complement dependable backs Andrew Kreichbaumer and Kris Vipavetz. Sophomore Scott Thompson came into his own at goalie, registering 39 saves, seven shutouts and an impressive 0.70 goals against average.
Did You Know? The 1991 Dons featured perhaps the most balanced scoring in USF soccer history as several players contributed on offense. Angelo Sablo led the way with seven goals and six assists (20 points), Staal Soeybe added six goals and seven assists (19 points), Zack Taylor was next with six goals and six assists (18 points), Francois Duny scored seven goals and passed off three assists (17 points), and Cato Solberg converted three goals and topped the team with nine assists (15 points).
They Said It: USF Head Coach Steve Negoesco proved to be prophetic when he said, “We have just seen the tip of the iceberg as far as Staal Soeybe’s talent is concerned. He is a player who is respected by both his teammates and opponents, and is a joy to watch.” Soeybe was only a freshman in 1991 and went on to become a two-time first-team All-American and was inducted into the USF Hall of Fame in 2007.
