In the late 1970's into the mid 1980's....UConn Soccer was king on campus. Winning seasons, NCAA Berths, Final Fours and a National Championship in 1981. While the likes of Joe Morrone, Jr, his brother Billy, Elvis Comrie and Pedro DeBrito were the stalwarts of the offense and midfield, Erhardt Kapp was the leader of the defense as the Sweeper and steady Eddie that helped the program record 39 shutouts in his UConn career.
Born in Romania, Kapp moved to Germany where he took up soccer...Then his family moved to New York City when his was 7...And his game excelled on the pitches of the Big Apple...A tremendous talent at Brooklyn Tech, of course Joe Morrone and his staff took note while playing for the Kolping Soccer Club in New York...College Soccer at UConn was next...
After a disappointing 9-11-1 freshman season in 1977, Kapp and his teammates made sure it was a blip as UConn again got back to their winning ways in 1978 with a 19-6 record and 10 shutouts to return to the NCAA Tournament. Where they would outscore their foes 10-1 in wins over Dartmouth, URI and Brown before dropping a 3-0 decision to a veteran Philadelphia Textile Team in Storrs. Kapp as a Sophomore was named not only the Team MVP, All Yankee Conference, All New England and a 2nd Team All American..
1979 another solid 19-7 year that included a 10 game win streak late in the season as the crew put together 10 more shutouts for the season. As Kapp again a All Yankee Conference and All New England First Team Selections...The Huskie's stay in the NCAA Tournament however was short lived as Rhode Island, despite being outshot 54-27, would survive on Penalty Kicks that ended UConn's Season...
in 1980, Kapp and Joe Morrone, Jr were named the Captains as the Huskies began it's most successful stretch in program history...Four straight Elite 8's, three Final Fours and a National Championship...A dominant 20-3-2 season where UConn outscored it's opponents 85-11 and was high as 3rd in the National Rankings...14 shutouts and a 20 game unbeaten string where the Huskies went 19-0-1. Where UConn wouldn't allow a goal in the last 6 games of the run..And after a 6-0 win over Boston University, UConn wouldn't even get a home game in the National Quarterfinals as they had to travel to snowy Hartwick College. Where they were playing for the 3rd time since 1974 with a Final Four berth on the line. Hartwick, the 1977 National Champion prevailed 1-0 to end the career's of both Morrone, Jr and Kapp. Not without Again Kapp gaining Team MVP Honors, All New England and with Joe Jr, named 1st team All Americans....
That Sping, both were Drafted in in the NASL. Kapp by a veteran New York Cosmos Team that featured legends like Franz Beckenbauer and Georgio Chinaglia. They get to the League Final in 1981 and win it all in 1982...With the league folding, Kapp's career would continue indoors with the Cosmos, Pittsburgh Spirit and LA Lazers through 1988. In addition, Kapp would play on the U.S. National Team that included a 1-1-1 venture during the 1984 L.A. Olympics.
Today Kapp owns a Soccer shop in Mamaroneck, NY where he still coaches and runs soccer camps in Westchester County. His Son Alex played Goalie at BC and Creighton before a brief stint in MLS with Atlanta and Minnesota...another son, Christian turned to football where he was a college placekicker at D-III RPI in the mid 2010's...
Erhardt Kapp, the rock of the UConn Defense for Joe Morrone, a Two Time All American and a UConn Legend