The No. 19 Hofstra University men’s soccer team routed Elon University 3-0 at Rudd Field in Elon, North Carolina, on Saturday, Sept. 30. The Pride got their second conference win and improved to 2-0-2. They are now one win away from Stony Brook University in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) standings. In addition, the Pride’s unbeaten streak extends to nine games and an overall record of 8-1-2.
Striker Ryan Carmichael and midfielder Eliot Goldthorp put on a display in the second half against their conference rivals. Carmichael, the reigning CAA player of the year, scored twice to help his team close out the game. His first goal came in the 50th minute as he found the top-right corner to double the Pride’s advantage to 2-0. His second arrived off a counterattack as Goldthorp provided the assist. Carmichael was named CAA offensive player of the week on Monday, Sept. 25, and has delivered his second brace in a week.
Along with the assist, Goldthorp got on the board with a penalty kick less than two minutes into the start of the second half. He was given the chance after Elon midfielder Isak Sedin committed a foul inside the box. Goalkeeper Tomasz Wroblewski had a touch on the ball, but it wasn’t strong enough to stop it from finding the right corner.
Carmichael and Goldthorp have shared 14 goals this season. Six of Hofstra’s eight wins have been shutouts, which means six shutouts for goalkeeper Wessel Speel, who was named CAA defensive player of the week on Sept. 25. Elon failed to get much going in the attack despite efforts from midfielder duo Calle Edelstam and Scott Vatne, both of whom combined for seven shots. The visiting Pride outnumbered their rivals 17-11 in total shots and 6-3 in shots on goal, but Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall’s team got things going from an attacking perspective in the second half, where they outranked the Phoenix 12-5 in total attempts.
In a game that saw 22 combined fouls – 11 for each side – the Pride came out with their fair share of cautions. Midfielder Eoin Farrell was shown his third yellow card of the season. He has the most bookings on the roster with four, including a red card he picked up against Stony Brook.
The Pride easily dealt with their CAA championship opponents from the previous two seasons. The team has now gone into Rudd Field six times without losing a single match. Their all-time record against the Phoenix is now 9-1-1, this latest win being the Pride’s largest margin of victory against them.
The Pride seeks to take their momentum to the top of the CAA standings and will play their next conference match against Monmouth University on Saturday, Oct. 7. Before that, however, they will continue their road trip as they take on the University of Virginia Cavaliers. Kickoff from Charlottesville, Virginia, is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3 Virginia Cavaliers. Kickoff from Charlottesville, VA, is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Alexis Friedman
