Entering his 38th season of coaching the USF soccer program, head Coach Stephen Negoesco knows more than most what it takes to win at the collegiate level. After all, no NCAA men's soccer coach has achieved more victories (526) than the Dons' mentor.

And Negoesco is excited and enthusiastic about the chances for a successful 1999, despite a down year suffered by the Green and Gold last season.

"Last year we were not as bad as our record might have indicated," said Negoesco. "We had a bad start (0-7) and it really had a negative effect on the team's psyche.In the first seven games we played top teams like Wake Forest North Carolina, UCLA, Washington and Stanford, and lost four of those games by one goal. One ball that goes in instead of bouncing off the post would have made a big difference. But it didn't happen to us, and that is soccer.

"This year we have some work to do in improving our play in the middle of the field, consolidating our defense and attacking the opponents with more organization. If we utilize the skill of our players, there is no reason we cannot be a successful offensive squad."

Goalkeeping

USF will have an entirely new look between the pipes. Last year, senior Zack Vaughn started all 20 games. Look for sophomore Scott Spaulding who recorded a state record 19 shutouts in 22 games for Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Ariz. as a senior to play a lot of minutes after backing up Vaughn last year. Negoesco loves his aggressive style of play. Conor McNulty, who played as a freshman at Wisconsin-Green Bay, recording three solo shutouts in nine games will also see action with freshman Matt Butner.

Defense

USF's defense should also be improved with the addition of several new players to an experienced returning crew. Negoesco expects freshman newcomer Martin Hoftvedt to compete for the starting sweeper slot, with veterans Jorge Santome and Chris Yantos as stoppers. Santome and Yantos had outstanding seasons last year. Senior Brandon Jensen is a versatile person in the back as are returnees Raji Ananda, Tyler Kent, Mike Crivello and redshirt David Jacobson. Newcomer Martin Torgersen will swing between defense and midfield.

Midfield

While USF had some experience returning in midfield, this is an area that Negoesco has singled out for needing improvement. Per Christian Larsen is one of the outstanding midfielders on the West Coast and along with the solid Tim Garlick should be able to control the "middle of the park." Alex Akerjordet has high goal-scoring potential. Returnees Tiberiu Marinescu and hard-working Jacob Vaughn also add to the nucleus. Look for Norwegian playmaker Andreas Stave to see much action, both in the middle and up front. Other newcomers looking to play in the middle are Brent Roosen and Sean Phillips, both with excellent potential.

Forwards

The Dons had planned to have Inge Klevberg as a key up front, but the senior is now out with a knee injury suffered during the off-season. Negoesco has little concern over the forward slots because of returning and new talent.

Midfielders Akerjordet and Falch will be available to play quite a bit of time up front, and Gabe Rood showed potential last season. The coaching staff is very high on redshirt Anthony Medina to play solid at center forward and junior Carlos Fernandez has goal scoring abilities.

Newcomer Gerald Hijelkema is an outstanding player from Sacramento who attended school and played soccer in Holland. He adds finishing skills.

It is a long way back from a 5-14-1 season to playoff contention, but Negoesco feels that this team has the ability and drive to do it.

"I know that we should not have had such a poor record last year," he said.

"We were a better team than our record and I think the players are looking forward to proving that last year was a fluke.

"I like our players and our system and I think we are on the way to establishing ourselves as a team to be reckoned with in the near future."