Cal State LA Athletics

2019: Concluded his sensational four-year Cal State LA career with another outstanding season. Earned first-team All-California Collegiate Athletic Association honors for a second straight season. Also received second-team All-West Region honors from both the United Soccer Coaches and the D2 College Commissioner’s Association. Led the team with eight goals and also had one assist for 17 points. Appeared in 18 games with 16 starts and flourished despite missing five games due to injury. Was a perfect 4-for-4 on penalty kicks. Had a dramatic game-winning goal in overtime to lead the Golden Eagles past Sonoma State on Oct. 13. Scored a pair of goals during Cal State LA’s NCAA playoff run. Got the go-ahead goal in a 2-0 win over Cal State San Bernardino in the Super Region 4 title game on Dec. 7 and had the third goal in a 3-0 win over UIndy in the national semi-final game on Dec. 12. For his career, appeared in 80 games with 78 starts and 6,603 minutes. Scored 17 goals and seven assists for 41 points.

2018: Had a tremendous junior season for the Golden Eagles and received the 2018-19 Frank J. Candida Award as Cal State LA’s top male athlete. Earned second-team All-America honors from the United Soccer Coaches and first-team All-West Region honors from the United Soccer Coaches and second-team All-West Region honors from the D2 College Commissioner’s Association. Also earned first-team All-California Collegiate Athletic Association honors and was named to the CCAA All-Tournament Team after helping the Golden Eagles to wins over Chico State and Cal Poly Pomona and a second straight tournament title. Started all 21 games for the Golden Eagles and played a total of 1,848 minutes. Had four goals and two assists for 10 points. Scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win at Chico State on Sept. 14 and had a goal in a 5-0 win against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Sept. 26. Also had goals in a 2-0 win over Cal State Monterey Bay on Oct. 6 and a 2-2 tie at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Oct. 13. Assisted on the only goal in a 1-0 win against Saint Martin’s on Sept. 1 and in the tournament title win over Cal Poly Pomona on Nov. 4.
  
2017: Had another outstanding season and was one of the team’s top players for a second straight year. Earned California Collegiate Athletic Association All-Tournament Team honors after helping the Golden Eagles to the tournament title. Scored a goal in regulation in a semifinal match against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Nov. 3 that the Golden Eagles advanced via penalty kicks. Appeared and started in 20 games and was fourth on the team in minutes played with 1,713. Was fourth on the team in scoring with three goals and three assists for nine points. Scored the game-winning goal in overtime of a 2-1 win over Concordia-Irvine on Sept. 7. Scored his second goal of the season on a penalty kick in a 2-1 win over Saint Martin’s on Nov. 10. Delivered a beautiful, curving goal in the first half of the tournament game against Cal State Dominguez Hills.

2016: Had an outstanding first year with the Golden Eagles and was one of the top freshmen in the CCAA. Earned All-CCAA honorable mention. Started all 19 games for the Golden Eagles. Had two goals and one assists and was a key player. Was second on the team in minutes played with 1,737. Both of his goals were game-winners. Scored the third goal in a 6-2 win over Saint Martin’s on Sept. 1 and scored the opening goal in a 3-0 win at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Oct. 5. Also recorded an assist on a goal by Femi Kaffo in a 4-3 win over Cal State East Bay on Sept. 16.

At Marienschule Leverkusen: Played club soccer in high school.

Personal: Son of Michael and Yvonne Klefisch. Majoring in international business-marketing. Enjoys travelling and music. Lists playing for the Club 1 FC Cologne as his most exciting experience in sports.