By Doug Bonjour

Despite entering this weekend’s home slate of games with a 1-6-2 overall record and a spot in the basement of the Colonial Athletic Conference, Head Coach Richard Nuttall believes a light still shimmers at the end of the tunnel for the Hofstra men’s soccer team.

“I think you’re going to have a little bit of despair. There’s going to be desperation, but we’ve got to stay calm and stay focused. There have only been two games in the conference,” explained Nuttall.

In those two games, the same problem that has plagued the Pride all year came back to bite, as Hofstra was unable to generate goals; falling 1-0 to both William and Mary and Old Dominion.

However, Nuttall believes that his team’s inability to score is a result of poor execution, not a lack of effort from those on the field.

“I can’t criticize our up-field efforts. I still see fight in our team. We are just not producing,” said Nuttall.

A lack of production certainly has been a problem spot for Nuttall’s team this season, as the Pride have been outscored 14-7 in the nine games they have played.

However, in order to turn the production around and begin a march to success, Nuttall believes the solution may not be as complicated as it seems.

“We just need a little something to go our way like a little bit of luck. Maybe somebody achieving something on the field and hoping it triggers goals,” expressed Nuttall.

Thus far, the Pride has had everything but luck, as injuries have plagued the team almost every week. Not only have the injuries forced starters such as Senior midfielder Chris Cox and Senior goaltender Tom Johansen to either miss game action or play through pain, but Nuttall also believes that the bumps and bruises have stopped the team from developing a rhythm.

Last year, the team was able to develop a rhythm with Forward Michael Todd, a player whom Nuttall admits is still missed. However, even though Hofstra is without the superior goal scoring abilities that Todd possessed while playing for the blue and yellow in Hempstead, Nuttall knows the team must move on.

“To be totally honest, we’re probably missing Michael Todd a little bit. But he’s gone now and we can’t worry about that; we’ve just got to keep working,” he said.

Work is indeed what Nuttall believes is key to turning around the season.

“It’s a matter of good old hard work and practice,” he said.