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NCAA Champions
The USF Dons looked strong as they entered the 1980 season. The team rewrote their own records in 1979 for most goals in a season (133) and most goals in a game, 23-0 over Saint Mary's. The Dons compiled a 23-3-1 record and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championships.
The force behind the team's successful drive to the 1980 title was the powerful trio of Bjorn Tronstad, Luis Felipe and Dag Olavsen. Offensive play revolved around Midfielders Roar Anderson and Stan Musilek. Nick Lambridis, Jan Elberse, Jo Bergsvand, and Erik Visser, the current player-coach of USF men's soccer, led the defensive backfield. Additional key players included goalie Aram Kardzair and Erik Nielsen.
The Dons won the Pacific Soccer Conference with victories over San Jose, Santa Clara and Fresno State. Entering post-season competition with a 19-0-2 record, and ranking 1st in the nation, the Dons beat UCLA for the Far West championship 2-1. In the quarterfinals, the team beat long-time rival St. Louis. Then USF met No. 2-ranked Alabama A&M to win with two goals in the second half.
In the finals, the Dons met Indiana, whose defense dominated the first half, and they were 2-0. The Dons rallied to tie the game at 3-3. In sudden-death overtime, Fidelis Atuegbu hit a 20-yarder to win the fourth NCAA championship for the Dons. A team motivated by close friendships and the desire to be the best college players in the country gave coach Negoesco his first undefeated season since 1966.
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