On Sunday, Nov 26, the third-ranked University of North Carolina (UNC) Tar Heels ousted the 14th-ranked Hofstra University men’s soccer team on penalty kicks following a 2-2 draw to end the Pride’s season. Hofstra had made it to the third round of the NCAA for the second time in three years.
“I think it was a cracking game,” said Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall. “Hopefully, the crowd enjoyed it. We went ahead, and I’m just a little bit disappointed that we didn’t hold on for the win.”
On the brink of a historic win for the program, the visiting Pride conceded a late goal scored by UNC forward Martin Vician with just five minutes to play in normal time. The game ultimately went into penalty kicks, where team captain Stefan Mason was denied in the second round of kicks by UNC goalkeeper Andrew Cordes.
Hofstra goalkeeper Wessel Speel didn’t make a single save throughout the night and failed to keep out any of the Tar Heels’ five penalty kicks.
The Pride initially took a 2-1 lead with first-half goals from Teddy Baker and Ryan Carmichael. Baker gave his side the lead only for UNC to equalize two minutes later with a goal from Ahmad Al-Qaq. Carmichael restored Hofstra’s advantage as he beat the keeper one-on-one after taking advantage of a defensive error within the final third. He finished the season with 17 goals.
The Tar Heels outranked the Pride 18-10 in total shots throughout 110 minutes but were outranked 6-2 in shots-on-goal. Their constant pressure in the final minutes of the match ultimately saved their season. They dug out the win despite conceding twice in one match for the first time all year.
“We probably could’ve gone 3-1 up,” Nuttall said. “But UNC are [a] very good side; they’re athletic and they move the ball well. I think, overall, the game deserved to be a draw, and then you’re down to the lottery of penalties.”
Hofstra was denied a first-ever trip to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament. Going into the match, it was known that the winner would host the unseeded Oregon State University Beavers next weekend. That honor now goes to the two-time national champions of UNC as the Pride fell just short of a trip to Louisville, Kentucky, for the NCAA men’s soccer College Cup.
“I’m super proud and happy that we got to this stage,” Nuttall said. “I’m just very disappointed we didn’t advance. The lads did fantastic.”
The off-season officially begins for a side with 14 seniors on the roster, seven of which are graduate students. The transfer portal has the potential to be a busy one for the program. For now, however, the team will be forced to taste the bitterness of defeat.
“When I saw those guys, there were lots of tears in there,” Nuttall said. “Many of them were upset; we’re going to miss some great people.”
One door closes and another one opens, and it’s onto the next chapter after an end to an otherwise successful season.
“We’ll build again,” Nuttall said. “We look forward to next year.”
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Alexis Friedman
