Hofstra finds sweet tooth, advances to NCAA Sweet 16 after downing Penn State

Victory was sweet for the Hofstra men’s soccer team as the Pride routed the 12-seeded Pennsylvania State University behind an offensive explosion, 8-2, at Jeffrey Field in University Park, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, Nov. 21. The win advances the Pride to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Soccer Championship for the first time in program history.

“The mentality of the team was our biggest strength today,” said Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall. “On top of that, our grit, determination and talent showed through so [I’m] incredibly proud.”

Hofstra continued a historic season, sitting at an 18-1-2 record, extending the school record in wins. The Pride also extended its unbeaten streak to 17 games. Big Ten champion Penn State saw its season come to an end at 13-7-1.  

Hofstra scored early when Ryan Carmichael netted his fifteenth goal of the season just 2:48 into the match. Matthew Vowinkel headed a pass from the top of the box over to Mason Tatafu, who sailed the ball over to Carmichael where he headed the ball home, giving the Pride an early lead.  

The goals continued for Hofstra as Hendrik Hebbeker sent the ball from the far side of the box at the 30th minute, doubling the Pride’s lead. Vowinkel gave the Pride a 3-0 lead at halftime after scoring off a pass from Roc Carles in the 37th minute.

Hofstra’s offense continued an onslaught on the Penn State defense, scoring the Pride’s fourth goal of the game just 23 seconds into the half. Francesco Perinelli broke through for his first goal of the season after Hebbeker sent the ball towards the goal, where Carmichael sent it back across to Perinelli who tapped the ball in the net.

Carles called his own number from the top of the box to give the Pride a 5-0 advantage in the 56th minute. Five minutes later, Carles scored again, this time after Carmichael sent the ball  out of the box to him where he once again sailed it past the Nittany Lion defense and goalie.

Seconds later, Hebbeker found the net for the second time in the game, after a pass from Jack Nuttall opened a free lane to the net. The eighth and final goal for Hofstra came at the 68th minute, when Holger Maalone scored his first career goal after sending the ball into the net from a corner kick by Storm Strongin. 

“I love our mentality as a team,” Richard Nuttall said. “We were a bit aggrieved that we had to travel here. We felt we should have been seeded, [but] we weren’t, and we got down to business and we did the job here.” 

Penn State was able to score two goals, one in the 78th minute by Femi Awodesu and once again in the 89th minute by Daniel Bloyou.  

Hofstra rattled off 18 shots (11 on goal) compared to 15 shots by Penn State (seven on goal). The Nittany Lions had an advantage in corner kicks with 11, compared to only four for the Pride.

Wessel Speel made four saves for the Pride while allowing one goal. Alex Dudley allowed a goal and made a save in almost 12 minutes of work. Penn State goalie Kris Shakes allowed all eight Hofstra goals while making three saves.

“I think it was just our communication and our back line. We are very used to playing with each other and we enjoy playing with each other,” said George O’Malley. “Talking to each other makes our job so much easier.”

This was the first time a team has reached the eight-goal mark in a tournament game since 1978, when Appalachian State University scored nine against George Washington University. Hofstra’s eight goals were the highest in tournament history by a Colonial Athletic Association team.

“It’s a lovely field, grass field and a little bit wet with the rain, and the ball moved quickly and we [have] got players who can move the ball and shoot from anywhere and can head the ball well,” Richard Nuttall said. “It was just made for us and made for our type of game.” 

Hofstra will move on to the third round of the NCAA tournament and travels to the 5-seeded University of Pittsburgh on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 4 p.m.

“Pittsburgh is very, very good and we haven’t thought about that yet,” Richard Nuttall said. “From our point of view, we’ve got a chance against any team in the country.”

Photo Courtesy of Alexis Friedman/The Hofstra Chronicle