It was a year of monumental accomplishments for the Davidson College men's soccer program. In 1992 they were selected as the host of the College Cup. Bringing such a large event to a small campus and quaint community would put Davidson on the map. On Nov. 9, they realized there was an opportunity to gain that national attention for the soccer team, as well as the school. That was the day the Wildcats received their bid to the NCAA tournament.
Davidson notched a program-best 17 wins that season. The Wildcats defeated rivals Charlotte and Coastal Carolina on penalty kicks to advance past the first two rounds of the tournament. A 1-0 OT victory over powerhouse North Carolina State in the quarterfinals meant they were headed home for a semifinal showdown. They faced San Diego State on their home field in front of more than 8,000 fans, but with a 2-3 overtime loss, their season was over.
The team's sophomore goalkeeper, Alex Deegan, holds Davidson's career saves record with 277. Some of the most impressive ones came during the Wildcats' 1992 postseason run. His ability to protect the goal was a key factor to the Wildcats' advancement to the College Cup.
Rob Ukrop was one of nine seniors on the '92 team. He led the league that season with 31 goals, 10 assists and a total of 72 points. His impressive career cemented his role as one of the most extraordinary soccer players to ever come out of Davidson, and in 1992, all of college soccer took notice as he was honored with the Adi Dassler Award, given to the nation's best player.
With a 21-year career as head coach of the Wildcats, Charlie Slagle amassed 209 victories. It was the 17 recorded in 1992, though, that solidified his spot in school history. Slagle was honored as the Division I Men's Soccer Coach of the Year that season. This is an honor that has yet to be replicated by another Davidson coach.
As impressive as the accomplishments of Deegan, Ukrop and Slagle are, they will each explain that it was not an individual that made their success possible. Every member of the 1992 Davidson men's soccer team believed in something bigger than himself. The Wildcats believed in each other.
They were the quintessential team.