1971 West Coast Intercollegiate Soccer Conference Champions
Head Coach: Steve Negoesco
Overall Record: 13-3-0 WCISC Record: 7-0-0
All-WCISC Team: Lorenzo Cumplido, Hans Friessen, Bill Rapp, Alex Roboostoff
Most Goals: Hans Friessen
USF Hall-of-Famers: Lorenzo Cumplido, John Micklewright, Alex Roboostoff, Steve Negoesco
The 1971 Dons had a brilliant season finishing 11-2 in the regular season, then capturing the NCAA West Regional with wins over San Jose State and UCLA. The Dons season ended in the NCAA semifinals at the hands of St. Louis. The Billikens won an extremely hard fought 3-2 battle at the Orange Bowl in Miami to advance to the title game.
The Dons opened the season with two straight wins, easily handling Westmont College 3-1 and San Francisco State 9-1. After a 1-0 loss to the University of British Columbia, USF went on a tear, running off nine wins in a row. During the 9-0-0 stretch USF beat up on St. Mary’s 13-0, blanked California 4-0 and defeated rival Santa Clara 2-0. Over the nine games, the Dons outscored their opponents 31-1.
Hans Friessen was named honorable mention All-American for a third consecutive season and Friessen, Lorenzo Cumplido, Bill Rapp and Alex Roboostoff each were named to the All-Conference first team.
Did You Know? Despite his German surname, All-American forward Hans Friessen was actually born in Mexico. His mother and father were also Mexican born citizens, but with German ancestry. Friessen played in the early 70's with Team Chivas, and he is the only known German-Mexican to ever play for Team Chivas. There was some legal dispute whether he would be allowed to play on a team that is exclusively for Mexicans born athletes. The fans in Mexico did not seem to care if he played or not, as they were more interested in his scoring prowess than his ethnic background.
They Said It: “Hans Friessen is a true All-American. He has natural ability and heart and is always a threat to score,” noted USF Head Coach Steve Negoesco. Friessen is one of only four soccer players who played on the Hilltop to be named a three-time All-American. Friessen earned honorable mention All-American honors in 1969, 1970 and 1971. The other three-time honorees are Olufumni Osibogun, Alex Roboostoff and Andy Atuegbu.
