Speel makes big impression as Hofstra's goalie

Hofstra University’s men’s soccer goalkeeper, Wessel Speel, has already accomplished a significant dream of his as a freshman: coming to America for college to play soccer. 

“It has always been my dream to come to America,” Speel said. “I had a few offers [from other universities] but Hofstra stood out to me because the coaches came to visit me back home and they had a lot of trust in me.”

Since making the decision to come here from his home in the Netherlands to study and play soccer, Speel has started all seven games as Hofstra’s goalkeeper. Already, Speel has a goals-against average of 1.29 with 29 saves thus far and a saves percentage of 72.5%, all remarkable numbers for a freshman in his first season playing at the college level. Both statistics are well above average for professional goalkeepers.

Speel started playing soccer when he was five years old, inspired by his older brother. “When I was eight, I fully committed to being a goalie,” he said. 

Playing goalie has become a great passion of Speel’s. Those closest to him feel his dedication and determination to achieve his dreams.

A memory that significantly stands out from Speel’s 14-year soccer career was the final match to win the league title for his team at 13 years old.

“We were 4-2 down in the match and at one point, we had a corner [kick] and my coach was yelling to me ‘go, go, go to the corner’ and so I went there,” Speel said. “I don’t know what happened, it was a really small moment, the ball came and I just had it and I scored as a goalie, so it was 4-3. A few minutes later, one of my friends on the team scored and it was 4-4 and we won the league.”

At 15 years old, Speel played on a recruitment team and had the opportunity to do a trial with FC Utrecht in the Netherlands. He earned a spot on the team and joining was “one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” he said.

At Hofstra, Speel has had an incredible first season starting as a goalie, logging three wins, two losses and two draws. 

“I think I’m on a good run, however I’m a big perfectionist so I’m never really satisfied,” Speel said. “There is more potential, but it’s not going that bad to be honest.”

Speel doesn’t have any pre-match traditions. “I’m not much of a superstitious guy, I don’t really believe in that, so I just go with the flow and whatever happens, happens,” he said.

After Hofstra’s 0-0 draw against University of Delaware, Speel was recognized as the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Rookie of the Week.

“The game I was recognized for wasn’t my best game, it was a solid game but I’ve played better one in my opinion,” Speel said. “The fact that I had a clean sheet and six saves is usually a big thing for a goalie so I think that was the main reason I got recognized.”

Receiving the recognition from the CAA “confirms that I’m on the right track, still continuing,” Speel said. “I don’t think this is the end, I’m hungry for more.”

He hopes that hunger will result in “four great seasons at Hofstra” and breaking through to Major League Soccer following his university career.

Photo Courtesy of Jacob Lewis/The Hofstra Chronicle