Men's soccer back-to-back goals the difference in 2-0 win over UMBC

The Hofstra University men’s soccer team defeated the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) Retrievers, 2-0, at Hofstra Soccer Stadium in Hempstead, New York, on Tuesday, Sep. 12. The Pride improved to 4-1-1 on the season and remained undefeated at home. They also handed the Retrievers their first loss of the season. 

“Really pleased with a win against a very good UMBC side,” said Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall. “Especially in the second half, I thought our tempo was good going forward and we scored two good goals.” 

Both Hofstra goals came in the second half and were scored within seven minutes of each other. Midfielder Eliot Goldthorp scored his first goal of the season with a powerful strike to the top-right corner of the net with his right foot in the 54th minute. His first goal of the season came six games in after a year in which he finished second in the nation in scoring. 

Soon after, Ryan Carmichael continued the scoring spree with the second goal of the day for the Pride, Carmichael’s fourth goal of the season Goldthorp took the ball away from UMBC defender Jago Lott and quickly fed Carmichael into the 18-yard area before he slid it underneath the keeper and into the back of the net to put the game away. Goldthorp and Carmichael delivered on Tuesday night, just as they did many times a season ago. 

“It’s awesome,” said Nuttall. “They’re talented players, and Eliot [Goldthorp] scored a great goal. He’s used to scoring great goals. Not to take it away from anybody else. To score a great goal and maybe a slight gift of a goal is wonderful.” 

Hofstra played most of the match with a numerical advantage. In the 7th minute, starting UMBC goalkeeper Jailon Gillespie handled the ball outside his own box, resulting in a straight red card. For the remaining 83 minutes, Nuttall’s side played 11v10 soccer in their favor while going up against backup goalkeeper Emigdio Lopez. 

“I don’t think we did as good a job in the first half,” said Nuttall. “That’s when they got the most energy as well and they worked incredibly hard against us. They’ve got good, agile players that were hard to break down. They did a good job in the first half but as we kept going, I thought we wore them down. I’m happy with the job we did against 10 men because sometimes you relax and it’s no good.” 

The home side outranked the visitors 12-6 in total shots and 5-3 in shots-on-goal. This was their third shutout of the season, highlighting their defensive effort. 

“[Gabriel] Pacheco’s a quality player,” said Nuttall. “I thought his partner-in-crime, Pierce Infuso, did good things as well. I want him to talk more and be more commanding. As a coach you always want more but they did a good job tonight.” 

Midfielder Eoin Farrell was unavailable for selection due to a suspension after he was sent off during the Stony Brook University match this past weekend. The decision by the referee to send off Farrell had a slight impact on this match, as the Pride were without one of their more experienced players. 

“That situation was a travesty and that’s been made well known,” said Nuttall. “It was wrong, but there’s no appeal process for red cards. He’ll be back, we’ve got him nice and rested.” 

Hofstra will hit the road and play their second conference game of the season, as they take on the Campbell University Fighting Camels on Saturday, Sep. 16. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. 

Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Alexis Friedman