By Alex Hyman, Staff Writer
The Hofstra Pride Men’s soccer team has high expectations coming into the 2011-2012 season. A year after finishing 7-6-5 overall, 5-3-3 in conference play making it to the Colonial Athletic Association Championship game, the Pride has a lot to look forward to this season.
The Coach: Head coach Richard Nuttall is entering his twenty-third season as leader of the Pride. In his 22 seasons at the helm, the Pride has compiled a record of 200-182-46.
“I am confident in what we got and we can have a really good season,” said Nuttall of the upcoming season.
The team does have a few injuries coming into the season which Nuttall knows will somewhat hinder the squad’s start of the season.
“When we get all of our players back we will be a very formidable team,” said Nuttall.
Hofstra also has a very bright future as some of its incoming freshmen are looking to make an impact right away.
Newcomers: Two Icelandic newcomers, midfielder Heidar Emilsson and defenseman Tommi Kjartansson, will be receiving playing time right from the start and will play a major role in both the present and future.
Star Player: Sophomore Shaun Foster looks to once again be the Pride’s star defender. Foster was named the Preseason Colonial Athletic Association’s Player of the Year.
Coming off a season in which he received Defensive Player of the Year and CAA Rookie of the Year honors, Foster is ready to lead the Pride’s defense in the 2011 season.
“X-Factors”: From an offensive standpoint, the Pride is relying on sophomore midfielder Chris Griebsch to be among the team leaders in goals. He led the team in 2010 with three goals and three assists.
The Pride only has two seniors on its roster and is expecting big things from striker Brett Carrington in his final campaign.
At the other end of the field, senior goaltender Greg Cumpstone and sophomore Roberto Pellegrini look to keep the opposition off the score sheet. Cumpstone is entering his fourth season as keeper for the Pride and ranks second on the Pride’s career shutout list with 16.
Games to watch out for: The Pride is welcoming a Big Ten opponent Penn State University to the Hofstra Soccer Stadium. Hofstra will take on Colonial Athletic Association rivals Virginia Commonwealth University and James Madison University among others formidable CAA foes. One of the biggest challenges for the Pride this season will be playing in Williamsburg, Virginia to take on The College of William & Mary, the defending CAA champions. The Pride also travels to Norfolk, Virginia to take on Old Dominion University.

Senior striker Brett Carrington (11) looks to leave his mark during his final campaign at Hofstra. (The Chronicle File Photo)