UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics and the Penn State men's soccer program mourn the passing of All-American Dan Canter. Canter died Thursday, April 9, at his home in Las Vegas at the age of 58.
Canter was a four-year letterwinner for the Nittany Lions from 1978-81 under the legendary coach Walter Bahr.
The four-year starter led Penn State to a 62-17-4 record in his time in Happy Valley, including four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances and a trip to the national semifinal in 1979 with an upset of No. 1 Indiana.
Canter scored 18 goals for the Nittany Lions as a defensive player. He earned first team All-America honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association (NSCAA) as a senior in 1981. He was also a two-time NSCAA first team all-region honoree in 1980 and 1981.
Canter was drafted by the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the North American Soccer League (NASL) in the 1982 NASL College Draft where he made 29 appearances and scored two goals as a rookie.
In 1983, the U.S. Soccer Federation, in coordination with the NASL, created Team America, essentially the national team, as a league franchise. Canter played with Team America for a season before returning to the Strikers, who then traded him to the New York Cosmos.
With the Cosmos, Canter was a NASL All-Star honorable mention in 1985.
Canter's stint with Team America also made him an integral part of the national team's preparation for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, he was injured prior to the games and was replaced on the Olympic roster.
He then returned as a full international in September and October of 1984 and became a regular starter for the national team in May 1985 as the U.S. moved through the qualification stages for the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
