By Doug Bonjour
After losing 1-0 to Colonial Athletic Conference foe Old Dominion on Oct. 7, the Hofstra men’s soccer team found themselves falling further in the standings and their chances of a fourth consecutive CAA title traveling on the same downward spiral. Only nine games were left in the season and Hofstra found themselves with one win; none in conference play. Yet this past weekend, the Pride proved that they were neither down nor out.
Led by the youthful but powerful foot of Johannes Grahn, freshman, forward, and a suffocating defense, Hofstra was able to get the wins when they were needed the most.
Back at the friendly confines of Hofstra Soccer Stadium, a place where the Pride had amassed a 19-5-3 record since the start of the 2004 season, Hofstra put together their first two-game winning streak of the year with a 2-0 defeat of Georgia State and a 3-0 victory over University of North Carolina-Wilmington. The weekend proved to be instrumental in Hofstra’s climb back up the CAA standings, as they moved into a tie with George Mason for fifth place after entering Friday’s game as a member of the conference cellar.
Friday’s game featured the Pride against a 4-4-1 (1-1 CAA) Georgia State team, who was coming off an impressive 3-0 win over George Mason. However, early in the first half, Georgia State’s performance proved to be about as cold as the conditions they were playing in. With the winds gusting and the temperature ranging into the 40s, the conditions seemed more suited for American football rather than soccer. Yet despite the cool conditions, Hofstra came out playing with fire.
Both the Hofstra offense and defense played aggressive from the start. Just seven minutes in, Grahn nearly scored, but his shot from the top of the penalty box was deflected off the goal line by Georgia State Junior defenseman Javon Carrington. While Grahn failed to cash in early, he redeemed himself with just over 23 minutes left in the first half. After receiving a header from teammate Justin Flood, junior, midfielder, Grahn settled the ball from 10 yards out and drove it past Junior goaltender Filipe Carvalho, giving Hofstra a 1-0 lead.
Following the goal, the Pride continued to pressure the Georgia State net, but was unable to finish on numerous chances, continuing the problem that has plagued them for most of the season.
As Head Coach Richard Nuttall referred back to his team’s inability to come through on numerous scoring chances, he expressed his worries about keeping the opponent in the game.
“We could have had some more [goals]. But you’ve got to be careful when you miss those chances that they don’t come back and get a sneak one,” he said.
To the delight of Nuttall and the hundreds of fans who cheered on Hofstra through the chilly conditions, Hofstra was able to score another, again relying on Grahn.
His second tally came 10 minutes into the second half, as Sophomore defenseman Richard Martinez passed the ball up the right sideline to a streaking Grahn. On a breakaway, Grahn dribbled past the Georgia State goaltender and shot the ball into the left corner of the net.
The second goal proved to be the final tally, as Hofstra continued to control the ball, never allowing Georgia State to mount any rush. Georgia State ended the game with only one shot on net, while Hofstra had 12.
Following the game, Nuttall spoke positively about his team’s offensive and defensive performance.
“Each time they had someone on the ball, we had one of our players making them work for the possession. We passed the ball quite well too. I’m very happy about today’s performance,” said Nuttall.
On Sunday, the Pride backed up their strong, well-rounded performance with an equally impressive showing versus 1-8-1 (0-3) UNC Wilmington.
After both teams traded possession early, Grahn once again gave Hofstra a 1-0 lead. 12:38 into the half, Hofstra Sophomore midfielder Rob Youhill dribbled the ball down the right sideline and crossed the ball to Grahn, who headed the ball into the net from 12 yards out. Hofstra’s goal was the only highlight in a relatively quiet first half on the offensive end, as the two teams recorded a total of three shots on goal.
Hofstra struck on the scoreboard again just 14:21 into the second half, as Senior forward Ray Hassett blasted a direct kick from 25 yards out into the left side of the net.
Hassett, who repeatedly missed the net by inches on Friday, was relieved to finally put the ball by the goaltender.
“It felt good to finally get one. I had a lot of opportunities and to finally put one away, it feels good,” explained Hassett.
Hassett’s goal staked Hofstra out to a 2-0 lead, a lead which Nuttall explained can be the worst in soccer.
“They do say a two goal lead is the worst lead in soccer because they can suddenly get one and then you feel under pressure and you change the way you’re playing,” he said.
Luckily for the Pride, there were no worries about feeling any pressure, as Grahn’s goal with 16:24 put the game out of reach at 3-0.
The win capped off an impressive weekend; one that Hassett believes could be a turning point.
“The whole season we thought if we got a win we would just get on a roll. We got two good wins this weekend,” he noted.
Next weekend will be a good indication of a whether or not the team has rached a turning point, as the Pride take another trip to Virginia to face James Madison, 2-7-2 (1-3) and Virginia Commonwealth, 5-4-2 (1-3).