Nov. 20, 2008

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UP NEXT FOR THE DONS: USF men's soccer will take on Bay Area rival and Pac-10 power No. 9 Cal in the opening round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament Friday, November 21 at Edwards Stadium in Berkeley. Kickoff is set for 1:30 PM. The Dons are set to make their 31st NCAA Tournament appearance and take on the Golden Bears in the postseason for the first time in program history. San Francisco and Cal have plenty of history in a series dating to 1968. The Dons own a 21-11-2 all-time ledger against the Golden Bears and have won two of the last three meetings, despite a 2-0 shutout at Edwards Stadium September 26. Cal is making its 15th NCAA Tournament appearance and eighth consecutive under ninth-year head coach Kevin Grimes. Cal owns a 6-14-1 overall record in the NCAA Tournament, 6-7-1 under Grimes.

QUOTING VISSER: "We know each other well. We play each other every year, we play each other in the spring as well. Cal, under the guidance of Coach Grimes has been a perennial power for several years now. We know it will be a very difficult game, but by the same token, we have had some success against them. It should be a very good, competitive game."

CHINN NAMED 2008 WCC PLAYER OF THE YEAR: After a record setting year in leading San Francisco to the 2008 West Coast Conference Championship, junior forward Conor Chinn (San Diego) captured 2008 WCC Player of the Year honors as announced Wednesday by the league office. Chinn, who shattered the conference record with 14 goals in WCC matches and 17 overall scoring strikes, has registered a scoring strike in seven consecutive matches with 11 goals (three game-winners) and 23 points during the span. The WCC Player of the Month for October, Chinn also owns the WCC single-season points record with 29 during league play. For his career, Chinn has 27 goals, nine game-winners, nine assists and 63 points. Chinn's 17 goals on the year are the most since USF Hall-of-Famer and two-time First Team All-American Staale Soebye recorded 15 in his WCC Player of the Year campaign in 1994. Chinn currently ranks No. 7 nationally among Division I leaders in goals per game (0.85) and is No. 13 in points per game (1.75). For more notes on Chinn, please see page five.

VISSER CAPTURES THIRD WCC COACH OF THE YEAR HONOR: After guiding a team picked to finish fourth in the West Coast Conference to the championship, USF head coach Erik Visser was voted WCC Coach of the Year by his peers for the third time in five seasons. The 2004 NSCAA Far West Coach of the Year, Visser is set to guide the Dons into their fourth NCAA Tournament in the last five years (2004-06, 2008), Since 2004, Visser has coached three WCC Player of the Years, one WCC Defender of the Year and 10 All-WCC First Team performers, while directing the Dons to a 53-38-9 overall record.

SEVEN DONS EARN ALL-WCC HONORS: In addition to junior forward Conor Chinn earning West Coast Conference Player of the Year honors, six USF players won recognition from the league office. Senior defender Jeff Russell joined Chinn on the first team, while junior midfielders Jonathan Levi and Leon Williams and sophomore forward Bryan Burke captured second team selection. Senior goalkeeper Jeremy Coupe was an honorable mention selection along with freshman defender Omar Elmasri, who was also picked for the all-freshman squad.

USF HEAD COACH Erik Visser: USF head coach Erik Visser took a young, inexperienced team featuring just five seniors and 11 upperclassmen to the 2008 West Coast Conference Championship. The conference crown is the third for the Dons in the last five seasons under Visser and the NCAA Tournament berth is the fourth for the Green and Gold in five campaigns. After guiding San Francisco to consecutive West Coast Conference titles (2004-05), Visser and the Dons secured a runner-up finish in 2006 with a 12-7-1 overall record, while playing a schedule rated in the top-10 nationally. From 2004-06, USF recorded a 37-17-6 record and recorded the most league victories (22) during the span.
Visser's Championship Credentials: A two-time WCC Coach of the Year (2004-05), Visser owns deep ties to the soccer program at the University of San Francisco. A defender on two USF NCAA Championship teams (1978, 1980), Visser spent 19 seasons as an assistant coach under soccer legend Steve Negoesco before taking the reigns as head coach for the 2001 campaign. Along the way, Visser also started the women's soccer program on the Hilltop in 1985 and served as head coach for six years. Visser is active in the USA National Team program and served as the top assistant for the U-20 team that finished 13th in the 2001 Youth World Cup in Argentina. Visser recorded his 50th career victory at Portland (11/10/05) and owns an overall mark of 79-64-11. Former Dons standout Josh McKay is in his sixth season as top assistant coach and third as an associate head coach, while Tyler Gottschalk is in his fifth campaign as an assistant. Chris Carniato enters his first season as an assistant/goalkeeper coach.

PLENTY OF BONUS SOCCER: Sometimes 90 minutes is not enough action for USF soccer. San Francisco finally broke through for its first overtime victory of the 2008 season with a dramatic 1-0 double-overtime victory at Saint Mary's (11/9), improving to 1-2-2 in extra time this season. The Dons posted deadlocks at Santa Clara (10/24) and against UNLV (9/19). USF's extra period losses came in a 1-0 double overtime loss at San Jose State (9/10) and a tough double overtime defeat against Gonzaga (11/2). Last season the Dons played three "bonus" soccer contests and went 2-0-1, highlighted by a 2-1 double overtime decision at Stanford (9/16) and a scoreless draw at San Diego (10/21). San Francisco played four matches requiring an additional period in 2006 and posted a 2-1-1 overall record and went 1-1-1 in matches needing both overtime sessions. This was in sharp contrast to the 2005 season when the Dons played a remarkable seven matches that reached double overtime and registered a 2-1-4 overall record, 1-1-3 during West Coast Conference play. Since the start of 2004, USF owns a 8-6-9 slate during "bonus soccer" matches.

WINNING THE CLOSE ONES: San Francisco has been tough in matches decided by one goal the last four seasons and 2008 has proven to be no exception. USF played 12 contests decided by a one goal margin during the regular season and own a 5-7 slate, but have won five of its last eight. The Dons posted a 6-8 record in tight matches last year. USF played 13 matches in 2006 decided by one goal, posting an 8-5 record in those contests. The Dons defense allowed a maximum of two goals only five times in 2006. Dating back to October of the 2003 campaign, USF owns a 36-29 ledger in one goal matches, including a 5-4 mark in 2005.

ROAD WARRIORS: San Francisco has proven tough on the road and since the start of the 2005 season owns a 22-18-2 record in true away matches, while posting a 16-12-2 slate in West Coast Conference road tilts since the start of the 2004 campaign. The Dons are 3-2-2 at neutral sites during the same span. USF posted a sparkling 4-1-1 WCC road record in 2008.

SENIORS SHINE IN GOAL FOR THE DONS: Senior goalkeepers Eric Conner and Jeremy Coupe have done an outstanding job for USF this season. The tandem has combined to lead the West Coast Conference in GAA (0.84) and have allowed a league-low 16 goals so far in 2008. Conner collected his first career shutout in the Green and Gold in a scoreless double overtime deadlock at San Diego (10/21/07). Coupe, who secured USF's 2-1 victory against No. 11 Cal last season and the Dons inaugural win with his first career shutout against Penn State (9/21), led the WCC in shutouts (7), and GAA (0.81) and rated sixth in saves (37). Conner collected his first shutout of the season - the eighth overall for USF - against the Academy of Art (11/7).

USF ONCE AGAIN FEATURES THE UNITED NATIONS LINEUP: USF men's soccer boasts a long and distinguished history of drawing outstanding players from throughout the world and the 2008 squad is no exception. This year's features players from no fewer than seven countries and four continents. The country roll call features 30 players from the United States, two Dons from Sweden, and one each from Canada, Colombia, Jamaica, Japan and Spain.

DONS SOCCER SET FOR 31ST NCAA APPEARANCE: After winning the West Coast Conference Championship, USF captured the league's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament - the 31st berth in program history. San Francisco now advances to the postseason for the fourth time in the last five seasons (2004-06, 2008) and has won three WCC titles in the last five years (2004-05, 2008). One of the nation's most storied programs, the Dons rank fourth in all-time appearances behind only St. Louis (45), UCLA (36) and Indiana (33). San Francisco also ranks fourth in total NCAA Division I Championships with four behind the Billikens (10), the Hoosiers (7) and Virginia (5).

QUOTING VISSER: "It's always exciting because it's confirmation that we've achieved one part of our goal which is to make the NCAA playoffs. We talked to our players at the beginning of the year about the history and tradition USF and it's always a goal to get into the NCAA Playoff. This team is very hungry and wants to win. They're not satisfied just to be in it."

SAN FRANCISCO IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT: No stranger to postseason soccer, San Francisco prepares for its 31st appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Dons own a rich soccer tradition with six national championships, two national runner-up showings and seven College Cups (Final Four). The Dons own a 44-23-1 NCAA Tournament record with four NCAA Titles (1966, 1975, 1976 & 1980), seven appearances in the finals (last 1980) and 10 showings in the national quarterfinals (last 1983). The Dons dropped a tough 1-0 decision to New Mexico in the 89th minute at Negoesco Stadium November 11, 2006, in their last NCAA appearance.

SAN FRANCISCO WINS ITS 34TH CONFERENCE TITLE: USF won its 12th West Coast Conference title with a 2-1 road victory at San Diego (11/14/08) and its third in five seasons. It also marks the 34th overall for the Dons soccer program. San Francisco won four Pacific Soccer League titles (1977, 1978, 1979 & 1980) and 18 Northern California Intercollegiate Soccer Conference crowns (1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1974 & 1975). USF won the WCC hardware in 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1991, 1993, 1994, 2004, 2005 & 2008.

SAN FRANCISCO WINS ITS 12TH WCC CHAMPIONSHIP: After defeating San Diego 2-1 November 14, San Francisco secured its 12th West Coast Conference title - the most in league history. Santa Clara is second with 11 championship trophies, followed by Portland (6), San Diego (4) and Gonzaga (2).

USF SOCCER CLOSING IN ON 750 PROGRAM VICTORIES: USF enters the 2008 NCAA Tournament with 746 victories in program history after posting a 9-9-2 mark during the regular season. Since soccer's "modern era" began on the Hilltop in 1946, the Dons own a 746-282-93 overall record.

VOTE FOR STEVE: In 2008, the NCAA celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Men's College Cup in December and USF soccer legend Steve Negoesco was been nominated as a coach for the anniversary team. Although Negoesco was surprisingly the only member to represent USF soccer on the list and did not make the 50th anniversary team, he was the only player or coach in the West Coast Conference honored with a nomination.

SCOUTING CAL: The Golden Bears enter the 2008 NCAA College Cup riding a three-match winning streak after downing Oregon State (1-0), Washington (2-1) and Stanford (1-0) to close out the regular season. Cal posted a 10-3-5 overall record, including a 6-2-2 slate in Pac-10 play, good for a runner-up finish to UCLA. Cal owns a stingy defense, which has allowed just 13 goals on the season behind the work of goalkeeper Stefan Frei, who carries a sparkling 0.68 GAA into the postseason. Andrew Wiedeman is the leading goal-scorer for the Bears with eight goals and five points, although no fewer than nine Cal players have tallied at least one goal during 2008. The Bears own an impressive 6-2-2 slate at Edwards Stadium and took a 2-0 decision against the Dons there September 29.

LAST TIME AGAINST THE DONS: USF men's soccer dropped a 2-0 result at No. 6 Cal Friday night in non-conference action at Edwards Stadium. The Dons created scoring opportunities but just could not find the back of the net against the Golden Bears' bend but don't break defense. USF attempted six shots in both halves and held a 12-8 advantage in the match, with five of them on goal. Cal keeper Stephen Frei turned away the Dons all night, recording five saves for the shutout. Andrew Wiedeman put the Bears on the board in the 71st minute on a rebound off the crossbar. The next tally was on an own goal in the 75th minute. Senior goalkeeper Jeremy Coupe took the loss for the Dons. Junior forward Conor Chinn fired a team-high four shots, three on frame, while junior midfielder Jonathan Levi and sophomore forward Jonathan McMullen each added a pair for the Dons.

USF AT CALIFORNIA LIVE ON THE INTERNET: USF's NCAA College Cup opening round match at No. 9 California on Friday will offer CSTV's GameTracker live scoring feature. Streaming audio and video will not be available.

DONS DEFENSE STINGY: San Francisco continued to establish itself as a tough defensive unit with its league-leading eighth shutout of the season coming in a 1-0 double overtime win at Saint Mary's (11/9). During the 2008 regular season, the Dons gave up a league-low 22 scoring strikes. USF allowed a season-high five goals at Loyola Marymount (11/16) with the 2008 West Coast Conference title and automatic NCAA berth guaranteed after a 2-1 triumph at San Diego (11/14). San Francisco's senior goalkeeping tandem of Eric Conner and Jeremy Coupe led the West Coast Conference in GAA at 1.05. Coupe, who owns seven shutouts on the year, leads the conference in GAA (0.81). USF keepers have recorded a league-low 51 saves.

COUPE TIES WCC SINGLE-SEASON SHUTOUT RECORD: Senior goalkeeper Jeremy Coupe continues to shine for USF as a senior. With a 1-0 shutout win at Saint Mary's (11/9), Coupe moved into a share of first place on the West Coast Conference single-season league shutout list with his sixth of the season, matching Portland's Austin Guerrero, who set the standard in 2007. Coupe leads the conference in GAA (0.80) and overall (7) and WCC (6) shutouts.

UC SANTA BARBARA AWAITS DONS/BEARS VICTOR: No. 19 UC Santa Barbara is set to take on the winner of Friday's California vs. USF match. The Gauchos will host either the Dons or the Bears Tuesday, November 25 at 7:00 PM at what figures to be a capacity crowd at Harder Stadium.

CHINN CONTINUES HIS OFFENSIVE TEAR: After going scoreless in his first four matches this season, junior forward Conor Chinn continues to make up for lost time and has scored 17 goals in his last 14 contests. The 2008 West Coast Conference Player of the Year, led the league in overall (17) and league (14) scoring strikes has registered three multi-goal games this season with a hat trick at LMU (11/6) and tallied two against Gonzaga (11/2) and Portland (10/31) Chinn has a WCC high six game-winners in 2008.

CHINN AMONG WCC SCORING LEADERS: Junior forward Conor Chinn led USF in goals (6) and points (17) and ranked second in assists (5) during a solid sophomore campaign. Chinn ranked fourth among West Coast Conference leaders in goals, sixth in points and rated third in shots (44). Chinn scored four goals against nationally elite teams last season, with two goals to lead the Dons to a 2-1 victory against No. 11 Cal (9/14) and struck for a goal at No. 4 Santa Clara (10/12/07) and added another against the No. 3 Broncos (11/9/07) at home. So far in 2008, Chinn leads the team and the entire WCC in goals (17), points (35), shots (72) and game-winners (6).

CHINN - WCC PLAYER OF THE MONTH (OCTOBER): Junior forward Conor Chinn led the Dons to a 5-2-1 mark in the month of October and was a difference maker, scoring a remarkable seven goals in eight league contests during the month. For his efforts, he earned West Coast Conference Player of the Month honors. With a two goal outburst on Halloween in a 3-0 blanking of Portland, Chinn moved into a share of second place on the single-season goals list for league matches with his seventh scoring strike to close a prolific October. Chinn opened the month by tallying game-winners in back-to-back 1-0 victories at Gonzaga (10/3) and Portland (10/5) and recorded 15 points and scored in six of the Dons eight contests. Chinn is the first Don to capture WCC Player of the Month honors since former standout Aaron Chandler was tabbed in September of 2006.

VISSER MATCHES MENTOR STEVE NEGOESCO: With a 2-1 West Coast Conference title clinching victory at San Diego (11/14), USF head coach Erik Visser notched his 38th West Coast Conference win and equalled his mentor, USF Legend of the Hilltop and NSCAA Hall-of-Famer Steve Negoesco, who compiled a 38-31-4 slate in 13 seasons. After concluding the 2008 WCC schedule, Visser's league record stands at 38-34-6 in his eighth conference campaign. The WCC adopted a double round robin format prior to the start of 2004. Visser currently ranks seventh all-time in league victories, fourth among active coaches. San Diego's Seamus McFadden sits atop the leader board at 80-57-13 in his 21 seasons.