As the dulcet tones of Ne-Yo blared in the background, it was the Hofstra Pride men’s soccer team that stole the show on Saturday night with a 3-1 win over the University of Delaware Blue Hens.
With Saturday’s win, Hofstra also moves to a 6-2-1 record on the season and 3-1-1 in-conference play.
“We played really solid; I felt in control of the game for 90% of the time,” said Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall. “Quite pleasing, especially playing well in the wettest conditions.”
After failing to score in the previous match, Hofstra’s pressure-packed offense wasted no time getting on the scoreboard.
Eliot Goldthorp took center, tallying a season-high four shots on goal. He opened the scoring with an Olimpico goal in the 12th minute, curling a corner kick over the keeper and into the top left corner of the net.
The sophomore struck again less than five minutes later, courtesy of a cross from Oliver Svalander. Overall this season, Goldthorp’s ability to find the back of the net has put him at the top of the Colonial Athletic Association in goals, with six on the season.
Down by a pair of goals, the Blue Hens cut their deficit in half in the 53rd minute with a goal by Orri Thorhallsson. The goal was assisted by freshman midfielder Petros Fokas, who played a through ball to split the Hofstra defense. The Blue Hens recorded just one shot on goal in the contest, as Hofstra’s press kept Delaware contained in their half for most of the game.
Nuttall attributed Hofstra’s dominant performance to their confident attitude.
“Confidence is such a massive thing in this sport,” he said. “We, as a group, feel we can beat most teams if we play well.”
Ryan Carmichael chipped home another goal, beating an out of position Delaware keeper to lock in the 3-1 score.
The offense was given new life on Saturday, as Hofstra managed nearly a dozen shots on goal in the match.
“If you look at that front four, [they’re] pretty talented,” Nuttall said. “I thought the front four were outstanding today and caused [Delaware] so many problems.”
After Saturday night’s win, the Pride looks ahead to a crucial stretch of games. Hofstra travels to Columbia University on Tuesday, Oct. 4. Immediately after, the Pride will have three matches against opponents with a combined record of 18-6-5.
The stretch will also feature a match against the University of Virginia Cavaliers, Hofstra’s only match this season against a Power Five team.
“These are the type of teams we want to play day in and day out, and we’re excited for the schedule,” Nuttall said. “We love the challenge.”
Photo courtesy of Alexis Friedman