Joe Queiroga (1982) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Joe Queiroga

Induction:
1982
Class:
1968

1965-67
Soccer
‘68
A native of Ludlow, Mass., Joe Queiroga came to the University via the U.S. Naval Academy in 1965. For the next three seasons as a starter on the Zip soccer squad, Joe helped give UA dominance over the Ohio Collegiate competition and earn national recognition as well. Queiroga started out as a forward and tailed four goals before head coach Stu Parry asked him to switch to halfback to strengthen an injury—riddled defensive unit. The move was like a shot of adrenalin. As UA’s center halfback, Queiroga proved most adept. Joe became the anchor of the defense that would yield less than two goals a game during his player career. All three seasons Queiroga was named first-team All-Ohio and All-Midwest. As co-captain of the 1966 team, Joe led a rugged, stingy Zip defense on the way to the school’s first post-season NCAA I Tournament berth and an overall mark of 10-3. En route, the Zips captured their seventh Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association (OCSA) Championship and Queiroga was accorded second-team All-America honors and a try-out for the 1968 U.S. Olympic team. He survived one of three cuts and returned to UA. Queiroga and the 1967 Zips, on the way to a 12-3 record, another OCSA title and second straight NCAA I Tournament bid, allowed a meager 1.67 goals per game and recorded five shutouts. One of the shutouts produced one of UA’s greatest wins when the Zips invaded Philadelphia for the first round of NCAA play and upset previously unbeaten Temple, 1-0. Michigan State, the eventual co-champion, ended UA’s hopes for more headlines, 3-1. For his seasons’ efforts, the Zips co-captain was a unanimous choice as Ohio’s Defensive Player of the Year. However, Queiroga topped that honor by being named first team All-America and third place in the balloting for the nation’s college soccer Player of the Year.