Hendrik Hebbeker was voted the CAA preseason player of the year. (Photo courtesy of Hofstra)
The Hofstra University men, ranked No. 17 in the nation in the United Soccer Coaches poll, open the 2022 season Thursday night at home against Fordham University at Hofstra Soccer Stadium in Hempstead, N.Y. is 7 p.m.
The game will be live streamed on Flo FC with audio commentary provided by our partners at WRHU-FM (88.7). The game will also air on radio at 88.7-FM and live statistics will also be provided. Links to all three can be found above or on the men’s soccer schedule page on GoHofstra.com.
Hofstra is coming off an 18-2-2 season in 2021 that saw the Pride win the Colonial Athletic Association championship and advance to the third round of the NCAA Division I Tournament.
The Pride led the nation in goals scored (56) and points (170), and were second in assists (58). Hofstra returns many key players from that squad including All-American midfielder Hendrik Hebbeker, the nation’s leading scorer Ryan Carmichael (39 points), conference rookie of the year Mason Tatafu, and goalkeeper Wessel Speel. Hebbeker was voted the CAA preseason player of the year and was joined on the preseason all-conference team by Carmichael, Tatafu, Speel and team captain Stefan Mason.
Hofstra also was ranked No. 18 by Top Drawer Soccer and No. 13 by College Soccer News. In a vote of the CAA coaches, the Pride was a unanimous selection to win the league title for a second year in a row.
Fordham is coming off a 7-9-3 season a year ago and was picked to finish fourth in the 14-team Atlantic 10 Conference. Hofstra holds an 11-5-2 advantage in the series history. The teams last met in the opening game of the 2019 season on Aug. 29 with the Pride prevailing, 1-0, on a penalty kick from Hebbeker in the 10th minute.
Following the game, Hofstra will host another Atlantic-10 opponent Monday when it welcomes the University of Rhode Island for a 7 p.m. start. Rhode Island was picked second in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll.
