The Hofstra University men’s soccer team defeated the College of William & Mary Tribe 2-1 at Hofstra Soccer Stadium in Hempstead, New York, on a rainy Saturday, Sept. 23. The Pride secured their first Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) win of the season and improve to 1-0-2 in CAA play. Their overall record improves to 6-1-2.
“As you can see, those were difficult conditions today,” said Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall. “The ball was flying all over, but I’m super, super proud of our boys and the way they stuck to the task. In the second half, there were times when I thought we were very good to almost brilliant in certain occasions.”
Striker Ryan Carmichael scored both Hofstra goals. His second arrived off a header in the 87th minute to win the game for the Pride. The assist was provided by midfielder Eliot Goldthorp. Carmichael initially gave the Pride the lead right on the hour mark off a long ball from goalkeeper Wessel Speel. The senior keeper was credited with a rare assist as the reigning CAA Player of the Year chipped it over Tribe goalkeeper Cole McNally to make the score 1-0.
Carmichael is the leading scorer for the Pride with seven goals and leads the CAA standings in individual scoring with 18 points through nine appearances. This was his second game-winner of the season.
“The first thing you’ve got to say about Ryan [Carmichael] is that he’s a unique character,” Nuttall said. “Nothing seems to ever faze him. I think the second thing you have to say is that he’s an elite athlete who’s got a tremendous amount of ability. For me, I can’t see a better center-forward in college soccer than Ryan Carmichael.”
Hofstra allowed their conference rivals back into the match seven minutes after they took the lead, as a defensive error led to an equalizer. Tribe midfielder Ian Krajna took the ball away inside a dangerous area and scored into an open net as Speel wasn’t able to recover the loose ball.
“Hesitancy cost us that goal,” Nuttall said. “I think we just weren’t sure enough, but it was difficult conditions so the ball slides all over and I think the ball came off one of our players to present them a chance. Sometimes, that happens in these difficult conditions.”
Hofstra played the majority of the second half without center-back Bjorn van Gorkom, who went down with an apparent knee injury in the first few minutes of play after intermission. Gorkom is one of seven graduate students on the roster and is a regular starter for Nuttall’s side.
“I don’t know a lot, I think it’s a soft tissue injury, hopefully,” Nuttall said. “Our trainer, Rob Sullivan, he’s one of the best I’ve ever seen, and he’s brilliant at bringing people back. If anyone can get him back playing, he will, and hopefully, it’s not as bad as it may seem.”
Despite the tough weather conditions, the rare error at the back at a crucial stage of the game and an injury to one of their most experienced defenders, the Pride got back in the driver’s seat and snatched a notable victory to avoid a third consecutive tie to begin conference play.
“It’s a wonderful win to get us back in with a chance of getting in the top two or three in the conference,” Nuttall said.
Photo courtesy of Alexis Friedman
