Hofstra eyes another CAA crown

Posted

The Hofstra men’s soccer team reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in nine years in 2015 and is eyeing a repeat postseason trip this fall.

The Pride captured the Colonial Athletic Association championship and then advanced to the second round of the NCAAs with an overtime win against Lehigh. Hofstra was picked first in the CAA preseason poll and has high expectations for more magic.

“Once you experience something you are aware of what needs to get done,” said 28th-year head coach Richard Nuttall. “I think we understand what we have to get done.”

Hofstra returns CAA Player of the Year Joseph Holland, who scored a dramatic free position goal at the halftime buzzer in the Pride’s 2-0 CAA title win against Delaware. The London native led the Pride in points with 25 and was named a second-team All-American last fall and got off to a quick start in his senior campaign with two goals in a 3-1 season opening win at Long Island rival Stony Brook on Aug. 26.

“Joe can unlock any defense,” said Nuttall of his star midfielder. “His soccer IQ is incredible.”

The offense is bolstered by junior midfielder Mani Walcott, who tallied three game-winning goals last year and earned third-team All-CAA accolades. Senior defender/midfielder Rory Murphy, who also earned third-team All CAA honors with five assists and junior Meshack Eshun Addy are both coming off solid 2015 campaigns. Senior midfielder Nino Alfonso can also use his speed from all ends of the field to keep defenses on their toes.

“He wears out teams,” Nuttall said of Alfonso, a West Islip High School product who scored the Pride’s first goal the CAA finals victory. “He is incredibly feisty and quick.”

Valley Stream North graduate and Franklin Square native Lerthon Theuma enters his senior season with the Pride and tallied in assist in the Stony Brook victory. Junior forward Danny Elliott, a 2014 All-CAA Rookie Team Selection, is capable of being an offensive threat from the wing. A newcomer providing a spark to the Hofstra’s attack is freshman forward Luke Brown, who was named CAA Co-Rookie of the Week after scoring his first career goal in the Pride’s win against Stony Brook.

Senior defender Hari Hawkins anchors Hofstra’s backline after making the All-CAA First-Team while helping the Pride achieve eight shutouts. The Cambridge, England native leads a defensive unit that includes Murphy, sophomore Sean Nealis, freshman Haakon Heltne of Norway and Nick Bigilin, a Massapequa Park native who transferred from Kentucky.  

“He is one of the top defenders in the nation,” Nuttall said of Hawkins. “He brings everyone together.”

Sophomore Sean Nealis started 15 games on defense as a freshman and was named to the CAA All-Rookie Team. The Massapequa High School product led the Chiefs to a state title in 2013.

A key force in Hofstra’s strong defense last year that did not return was goalie Patrick Pray, who started the last two years after transferring from the University of Washington. Sophomore Alex Ashton from Telford, England started in net to open the season. Fellow international sophomores Leonard Arkhanhelskyi (Ukraine) and Brian Rubinaccio (Venezuela) also could compete for time at keeper.

Nuttall assembled a challenging non-conference schedule that includes road matches at 2015 College Cup semifinalists Syracuse, the 2014 national champions Virginia and Big Ten power Maryland. After opening with four straight road matches, the Pride’s home opener is slated for Sept. 10 at 5:30 p.m. against Army-West Point at Hofstra Soccer Stadium. The CAA slate opens with home matches on Sept. 17 versus James Madison and Sept. 24 against James Madison, which will be played at Shuart Stadium on the south side of campus because of Hofstra’s preparations for hosting first presidential debate two days later.

“This is probably the strongest schedule we have ever had,” Nuttall said. “I designed it that way because I believe in the squad we have.”