The No. 22 Hofstra University men’s soccer team was eliminated from the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Championship in a stunning 2-1 loss to Stony Brook University. The loss took place at Captains Field on Sunday, Nov. 9.
Stony Brook’s Ryan Farr scored the game-winner in the 80th minute, just 42 seconds after Scemar Webb tied the match with the first of two second-half goals for the Seawolves.
The Pride dominated the first half, creating multiple chances in the first 10 minutes. Daniel Burko sent a shot from the left side of the 18-yard box toward Stony Brook goalkeeper Heidar Hermannsson, who punched the near-post attempt over the crossbar.
Laurie Goddard, the CAA Midfielder and Player of the Year, broke the scoreless tie a few minutes later. Stefano Campisi made a run just outside the left side of the 18-yard box, dribbling past a pair of defenders and sending the ball past another two to reach Goddard. Goddard spun around his defender before sending a shot on goal. The shot was deflected off the leg of Jamie Orson, floating up and over Hermannsson into the net.
“I thought we had a really, really good first half, and probably should have got one more goal,” said Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall. “[In the] second half, the conditions were tough, and it became a bit of a scrappy game … and for reasons beyond our control, we got put into a difficult decision.”
The Pride were in control from the jump, holding Stony Brook without a shot until the 61st minute. Hofstra defender Thengill Orrason received a second yellow card in the 77th minute, resulting in a red card and turning the game on its head.
“Stony Brook are a feisty, good team, and they’ve worked hard,” Nuttall said. “They used their resources and done well to beat us. Two good goals were scored against us.”
With the Pride down to 10 men, the Seawolves immediately capitalized, taking two shots in two minutes and forcing Sean Bohan to make his second save of the game.
Nelson Reynoso earned the assist on the equalizer just moments later. Reynoso got the ball on the right wing at midfield, got up to the edge of the 18-yard box and sent a low-arching cross to the far-side post. The ball found a running Webb, who headed it past Bohan.
Hofstra looked to regain the lead after the restart but came up empty on their first possession. The Seawolves struck on the counterattack as Reynoso found himself in a familiar situation, running up the right wing with the ball and sending a cross into the box. This time Reynoso went near-post, where a diving Farr got his head on the ball and into the right corner of the net.
Sunday’s loss was the first time the Pride has lost in the CAA tournament since 2020. The Pride still have a chance to qualify for the NCAA Championship tournament but will need an at-large bid to secure a spot.
“I feel like we’ve really done enough to be in the tournament,” Nuttall said. “With our eight-game win streak, our RPI ranking and our ability with a couple of great wins in the top 50, I feel as though we should [have] a really good chance at getting a bid.”
