By Max Sass, Sports Editor
Hofstra men's soccer entered its game Sunday afternoon at Fordham having scored just one goal in its previous four games. Though the Pride was able to get on the board, the scoring difficulties continued while the game was still winnable.
The first scoring opportunity of the game came with just over 39 minutes to play in the first half for the Pride. Freshman Chris Griebsch, who scored the Pride's only goal over the four prior games, sent a corner kick into the box that was headed by sophomore forward Mike Annaruma. Annaruma's looping header was tapped over the crossbar by Fordham junior goalkeeper Ryan Meara.
The next opportunity went Fordham's way and the Rams converted. Junior midfielder Tim Richardson ran onto a pass that slipped past the last Hofstra defender. Junior goalkeeper Greg Cumpstone stoned Richardson's first two opportunities but the second rebound drifted away from Hofstra's netminder and Richardson knocked it home to give Fordham a 1-0 lead.
The Pride could not prove resiliant though as Fordham had the next two scoring opportunities. Less than 32 minutes remained in the half when a Fordham shot from 30 yards out was rocketed just over the goal. Cumpstone yelled at his defense for allowing the clear shot.
Cumpstone's words were not enough as just seven minutes later Fordham struck for a second goal. Freshman forward Julian Nagel of Fordham caught a through ball cleanly past the Hofstra defense and hit the back right corner of the Hofstra net from 12 yards out.
As has been his tendancy, Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall used many of his bench players. One of them, senior midfielder Kevin Mira gave the Pride a solid scoring opportunity when he outmuscled a Fordham defender to get inside the 18 yard box. Mira fired a shot that was saved by Meara.
At the end of the first half, the Pride not only trailed by two, but Fordham had the edge in shots 8-2.
The second half started with another substitution, this time sophomore goalkeeper Adam Janowski replaced Cumpstone. "Nothing too bad on his side," Nuttall said of why he took Cumpstone out. "We just thought Adam's better kicking ability off the ground and he deserves a shot. He's got an extra 20 yards on his kicking distance."
The Fordham attack continued though and sophomore defender AJ Laza needed a sliding tackle to clear a centering pass with 31 minutes remaining in the game. Just one minute later Janowski was forced to make a diving save on a shot from 20 yards out.
Griebsch attempted to find his second career goal on a free kick, but Meara punched it away with 26:30 on the clock. Meara made another save eight minutes later when Mira fired a shot from the penalty spot for Hofstra.
The Pride finally broke through with just 48 seconds remaining in the game when Griebsch found the back of the net from 25 yards out.
Not to be outdone, Fordham scored 16 seconds later, catching Janowski out of position to go up 3-1, which would be the final.
Nuttall was not happy with the team's performance and held a team meeting after the game that lasted longer than normal.
"Probably the first 45 minutes is the least dynamic, passionate we've ever been I think," Nuttall said. "I sensed it before the game and we just weren't into it emotionally today. I think without emotion and passion for the game you can't do well and it showed in the first half performance. Worst 45 [minutes] we've had in a long time in terms of commitment. I don't mind playing badly but I do mind not showing the passion and determination."
Sophomore midfielder Stephan Barea started out of position at left back in the game but Nuttall did not think that was the problem with the defense. "I just think the lack of energy, lack of extreme concentration," he said.
Nutall's strong opinions left much to be desired for the team, but he feels it is fixable. "You have a good practice and then another good practice and then another good practice," Nuttall said. "That's what you do, you put it right in practice."
Junior forward Brett Carrington (back) collides with Fordham goalkeeper Ryan Meara (front, 25) in the Rams' 3-1 win over the Pride. (Sean M. Gates/ The Chronicle)