Shippensburg University Athletics

Craig Hottenstein was a four-year varsity letter winner in soccer who started every game in his career as the goalkeeper for the Raiders from 1969-72.  He was the team’s sole captain as a senior in 1972.

For his career, Hottenstein posted a 1.56 goals-against average in 46 games – which ranks fourth-best among keepers in school history. His 13 career shutouts are the second-most in school history.

To this day, Hottenstein holds school records for career saves (461) and shutouts in one season (seven in 1971).

As a junior in 1971, Hottenstein allowed just 13 goals in 14 games – his 0.93 goals-against average is the fourth-best single season rate in school history. As a senior in 1972, Hottenstein made 133 saves in 11 games. He allowed just 18 goals and posted a 1.64 goals-against average.

Hottenstein was an integral member of SU soccer teams that posted a 30-13-5 record from 1969-72. SU won or tied for three PSAC Eastern Division titles – 1970, 1971 and 1972 – and was PSAC co-champions in 1971 when it tied Lock Haven 0-0 in the championship game.

In 1971, Shippensburg defeated East Stroudsburg during the regular season but East Stroudsburg was selected for the NCAA tournament because of its impressive record against more difficult opponents.

In 1972, Shippensburg and East Stroudsburg tied atop the divisional standings at season’s end, but despite the fact that SU defeated ESU 2-1 in a head-to-head matchup during the season, ESU advanced to the conference championship game because the PSAC had a “no-repeat” rule in place, so the Warriors advanced. Hottenstein made 24 saves in the double-overtime win over the Warriors.

Hottenstein's best game was at Penn State when he made 25 saves, including several at point-blank range. The Raiders lost 2-1 on a goal with just 37 seconds left. Penn State, who featured All-American Chris Bahr, took more than 50 shots on goal and Shippensburg had only four shots. Hottenstein kept Shippensburg in the game. The Penn State assistant sports information director said it was the best performance by a goalie he had ever seen in his life.

SU got a berth in the ECAC tournament after the season. The Raiders defeated Lock Haven 2-1 in the first round of the tournament but then lost to national power Elizabethtown 5-1.

The All-PSAC teams only featured a few players back then, and usually only one goaltender. The primary reason Hottenstein was not named to the All-PSAC First Team was the fact that East Stroudsburg's goalie was first team All-American Bob Rigby, who later played 12 years in professional soccer.  He was a star for the Philadelphia Atoms, who won the North American Soccer League (NASL) championship. He was the first soccer player to ever appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

After graduation, Hottenstein was an assistant coach for SU in 1977 and was the head coach in 1978 when Tony Puglisi was on sabbatical. SU went 8-6 that season, won a PSAC Eastern Division title and reached the finals of the PSAC Tournament but lost in the championship game to Lock Haven on penalty kicks, 0-0 (3-0).

Hottenstein earned his master’s degree from Shippensburg in 1979. He was the owner of Maxie’s for 29 years through August 2013.