DECENT RANKING: Hofstra men picked to finish third in CAA

Matthew Vowinkel was named to the CAA preseason team. (Photo courtesy of Hofstra)

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The Hofstra University men were picked to finish third in the Colonial Athletic Association it was announced Tuesday as the league released its preseason coaches poll.

Four Hofstra student-athletes – Matthew Vowinkel, George O’Malley, Storm Strongin, and Wessel Speel – earned preseason All-CAA recognition.

The Pride received 48 points in the poll and had one first-place vote to finish behind three-time defending champion James Madison University (62 points) and UNCW (55). The Dukes received seven of the nine first-place votes while the Seahawks had one.

Vowinkel, a graduate student who returned for his fifth season, had a stellar season in 2020-21, leading the Pride with six goals, five assists, and 17 points in 10 games. He was a first team All-CAA pick at forward for the second consecutive season and ranked second in the league in assists and third in goals and points. His 29 career goals are tied for sixth all-time at Hofstra and his 65 career points are tied for ninth. Vowinkel was a 2021 MLS SuperDraft selection by FC Cincinnati.

O’Malley, another fifth-year senior, was an All-CAA first team selection after anchoring the defensive unit and adding a goal and two assists this past season. A three-year team captain, he was also a CAA men’s championship All-Tournament Team selection for the third consecutive season after helping the Pride to the CAA finals in 2020-21.

Strongin, who also is back for a fifth year, was a second team All-CAA pick at midfield this past season after recording two goals and three assists. He has been one of the top assist men in the CAA over the past two seasons and his 15 career assists rank 10th all-time at Hofstra.

Speel, a sophomore goalkeeper, earned a spot on the preseason honorable mention team after a freshman campaign that saw him post a 5-2-3 record and a 1.21 goals against average in 10 starts. Speel recorded 43 saves and had three shutouts.

James Madison University earned two preseason individual honors from the CAA coaches with Axel Ahlander being voted CAA preseason co-midfielder of the year and Melker Anshelm earning preseason defensive player of the year honors. Ahlander shared top midfielder accolades with UNCW’s Jacob Evans, who was one of two Seahawks honored along with preseason goalkeeper of the year Gabriel Perrotta. Drexel’s Chris Donovan was selected as preseason offensive player of the year.

Hofstra opens the fall season at the University of Rhode Island Aug. 26.

 CAA MEN’S SOCCER PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

CAA MEN’S SOCCER PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

CAA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Chris Donovan, Drexel
CAA Preseason Co-Midfielder of the Year: Axel Ahlander, James Madison
CAA Preseason Co-Midfielder of the Year: Jacob Evans, UNCW
CAA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Melker Anshelm, James Madison
CAA Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year: Gabriel Perrotta, UNCW

Honorable Mention: Kyle Tucker, Sr., M, Drexel; Kasper Lehm, Jr., D, Elon; Jannik Videbaek, So., D, Elon; Wessel Speel, So., GK, Hofstra; Luca Erhardt, Sr., F, James Madison; Alex Krakowiak, So., M, James Madison; Ben Klingen, Sr., M, Northeastern; Jaden Strumeier, Jr., D, UNCW; Will Stack, So., GK, William & Mary