By Joe Pantorno, Assistant Sports Editor
Every team has their glory days. The times where players, fans and coaches look back and say "this was our time." These memories tend to come up more often when a team is not performing up to potential and the fans need a break from reality.
After a disappointing 2009 season, the Hofstra University men's soccer team lost the last few core players of their glory year back in 2006 where they went 12-6-3 and won the Colonial Athletic Association. Defenders Rich Martinez and Jamal Neptune as well as midfielders Rob Youhill, Rory McCrea and Bill Pinto were the last of the conference winners; winners whose valuable experience would have greatly helped with this year's squad as these alumni stuffed the trophy cabinet during their tenures at Hofstra.
Rich Martinez earned CAA accolades all four years of his stay winning first team CAA honors twice, CAA second team, and CAA All rookie team selections. Rich was also awarded with CAA defender of the year.
Jamal Neptune garnered CAA second team honors last year along with an All Rookie team selection in 2006.
Rob Youhill gained two consecutive second team selections in 2007 and 2008.
Head coach Richard Nuttall realizes that coaches and players cannot think back to the days where the defense was stellar and the goals flowed. "The players understand that you can't live in the past," Nuttall said.
Of the twenty-eight-man roster, twenty are freshman and sophomores that have rather large holes to fill on a roster that lost so much talent over the past few years. There will definitely be a period of adjustment and acclamation to the college game for these youngsters, but Nuttall knows it takes time to build a winner. "You have to build your own destiny," he said. "We have got the core to the future without a doubt."
With not much experience, this young team has to find out the hard way to win on their own. It is a difficult task that lies ahead, but with time and effort, the glory year of 2006 can become the glory year of 2010.
Rich Martinez (9) left a gap in the Hofstra back line after his departure. (Sean M. Gates/Hofstra Chronicle)