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1983 PSC MEN'S SOCCER TEAM: PSC made 12 appearances in the NCAA Tournament under head coach Gerd Lutter in the 15 years from 1975 to 1989, but the 1983 team was likely the finest the Panthers had to offer. Ranked first in the nation and tops in New England in Division III, some thought PSC might be the best team in New England, including stronger than top-ranked Division I UConn and Division II Southern Connecticut.
After dropping the opening game of the season, PSC put together a 17-game unbeaten streak to go into the NCAA Tournament with a 14-1-3 record. The Panthers captured the New England Championship with NCAA victories over Brandeis and Babson, coming from two goals down in the title game to pull out a 3-2 win against Babson. The Panthers upended Union University in the NCAA national quarterfinals, but dreams of a national championship were dashed in the semi-finals by top-ranked and defending champion North Carolina-Greensboro, 1-0, a battle that went scoreless for 110 minutes before penalty kicks decided the outcome (4-3, UNCG). The outcome stopped PSC's 20-game unbeaten streak and gave the Panthers a final record of 17-2-3.
Offensive leader Steve Clark enjoyed a terrific season with 24 goals, and finished a remarkable second in the voting for soccer's Hermann Award, presented to the most outstanding university soccer player in the U.S. (equivalent to football's Heisman Trophy). A four-time All-America and two-year tri-captain, Clark became just the second PSC player selected to play in the Senior Bowl in Las Vegas. All-America honors were also earned in 1983 by Gaspar D'Alexis and Mike Farrugia (tri-captain), and other key members of the 1983 Panther squad include All-New England selection Chris Rasmussen (tri-captain), who tied the school record with 14 shutouts, and a senior class that included Clark, Rasmussen, Doug Karwoski, Devon Parchment and Jeff Rocke.
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