HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The Hofstra University men’s soccer team has signed three Long Island natives to National Letters of Intent, head coach Richard Nuttall announced Thursday.
Matthew Vowinkel, Andrea Codispotti and Storm Strongin will join the Pride this fall.
“I’m very excited to have all three of these talented local players,” Nuttall said. “I’m very happy that they have chosen Hofstra and look forward to seeing them grow with our program.”
Vowinkel and Codispoti were teammates at Chaminade High School in Mineola, N.Y. helping the Flyers to consecutive league and state championships in 2015 and 2016, while Strongin played four years of varsity soccer at Hicksville High School.
Vowinkel, a 6-1 forward, comes to Hofstra with a long list of accolades.
The New Hyde Park, N.Y., native was a two-time National Soccer Coaches Association of America High School Boys All-American and All-Region selection; two-time All-State pick; three-time All-League honoree, including league MVP in 2015 and 2016; and the 2015 New York State Gatorade player of the year.
He also was named the championship game MVP in each of Chaminade’s title-game wins and received a number of honors from Newsday, including 2015 Nassau Player of the Year and 2016 player of the year. In club play, Vowinkel spent time with the NY Greek Americans first and reserve teams and captained the nationally ranked Massapequa Aces, helping lead the team to a New York Club Soccer League National Premier League championship in 2016.
“Matt is one of the best local natural goal-scorers we’ve seen in years,” said Nuttall of Vowinkel, who posted 86 goals and 28 assists in 85 games for Chaminade. “He’s good in the air and attacks the ball well in the box. I expect great things from him.”
Codispoti, a native of Rockville Centre, N.Y., finished second on the Chaminade squad in goals, assists and points in 2015. The 6-1 multi-position player was also a two-time All-League selection and earned All-State honors in 2016 as well as being named to the Newsday All-Long Island Second Team. Playing club ball for the NY Hota/Bavarians, Codispoti helped the team to an NYCSL NPL Championship and national semifinals appearance in 2015. He also was a four-year member of the Olympic Development Program.
“Andrea is a very good athlete,” Nuttall said. “He’s really just starting to come into his own as far as his athletic performance. We expect that he can cope with the rigors of Division I because of his athletic ability. We’ll be looking for him to press for time on the left-hand side.”
Strongin became the first-ever Hicksville player to earn Class AA player of the year. A two-time All-State and All-Region selection, he helped the Comets to conference championships in 2013, 2015 and 2016, as well as a county championship and a Long Island finals appearance in 2015.
“Storm is a dedicated, devoted soccer player,” Nuttall said. “He is an incredibly fit and can play multiple positions. He will be able to challenge for time at outside fullback or midfield.”
The Pride, which finished 9-8-1 last year, was the Colonial Athletic Association regular-season champions for the second successive season.
