The Hofstra men’s soccer team defeated the Columbia University Lions with a score of 3-1 at the Hofstra Soccer Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 5. Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall reached a milestone as he recorded his 300th win.
The Pride improved their record to 10-1, their best start to a season in program history.
“It takes a village,” Nuttall said, “and I am the boss of the village, and I am supported by my wife who [has] let me pursue this career. It’s a way of life, being a coach, more than a job.”
The Pride scored twice in the first half to go up 2-0 at the break. The opening goal was scored in the 19th minute by Ryan Carmichael. The cross was sent in by Hendrik Hebbeker and Carmichael was able to head it home for the lead just before the 20 minute mark. Carmichael was coming off a two-goal performance last Saturday against the University of Delaware.
“[Carmichael’s] movement on the field, we’ve been working on,” Nuttall said. “He cares, and having Matt [Vowinkel] around him takes so much pressure off him.”
In the 34th minute, Vowinkel passed the ball to Stefan Mason who made his way into the box and delivered a sweet ball into the top left corner of the net, just out of reach of Columbia goalkeeper Michael Collodi. The Pride dominated the first half, as it took 24 minutes for Columbia to get a shot away toward goal. One yellow card each was handed out to both sides in a span of four minutes. In the 28th minute, Mason Tatafu fouled Ryan Kipness, resulting in a yellow card, and in the 32nd minute, Brian Timoney of the Lions received a yellow himself.
Columbia made four substitutions during the break. In the second half, things started out slow as neither side created many opportunities until near the one hour mark. Collodi was forced to make two saves as the Columbia defense began allowing shots to get through. Things began to look up for the Lions as they cut into the Pride’s lead in the 67th minute. A dangerous free kick was lined up just outside the left corner of the box, and Will DeNight drilled the ball into the top left corner, just out of Wessel Speel’s reach, to make the score 2-1.
The Pride added to their cushion in the 75th minute courtesy of a goal by George O’Malley, who struck it in from close distance. O’Malley was right in front of goal as he got it past Collodi. The goalkeeper had a hand on it, but not strong enough to keep out. The Pride’s lead then sat at 3-1 and there was no coming back for the Lions. In the end, the Pride only allowed eight shots during the entire game, compared to their 19 shots in total. There were two other yellow cards handed out to Lion players in the second half.
“I’m proud of our boys and I’m proud of our resilience,” Nuttall said. “I’m glad we kept our shape in the end and stuck to the task.”
The Pride will next take on the College of Charleston on the road on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 12 p.m.
Photo Courtesy of Adam Flash/The Hofstra Chronicle
