Hofstra Men’s Soccer Coach’s Final Season

It’s a moment of pride for Richard Nuttall as he wraps up his 37th and final season as the head coach for Hofstra’s men’s soccer team.

This year, his unranked team pulled off a major upset in the NCAA Tournament, defeating the defending national champions, Vermont State, 3-2 in overtime during the second round.

“After that game, I told them, ‘Remember, we can beat any team in this country,'” Nuttall reflected before their third-round game against No. 16 Furman.

He expressed gratitude for another week with the Pride, noting that he felt a bit frustrated after their earlier shutout win against Syracuse.

“I can honestly say there hasn’t been a day I didn’t want to go to work,” Nuttall shared, recalling his transition from a pig farm in England to Long Island.

The thrilling match against Vermont, which featured a memorable golden goal by midfielder Laurie Goddard, was certainly a highlight. “You live in every moment, every kick. It’s a mixture of fear and hope,” he said, almost in a poetic way.

Before the game, he emphasized to his players, “Can you play with calm and clear thinking?” He felt they handled that well.

The Pride have enjoyed warm wishes and thoughtful gifts as they celebrate Nuttall’s last days on the field. He mentioned, “I love bikes, and they got me a Cannondale. Plus, they bought me two paddles for pickleball, which I play with my wife. Everyone at Hofstra has been incredibly kind.”

Now, Nuttall is focused on the upcoming match against Furman. “We’re expecting a big crowd. They’re a talented team with great speed and technical skill. It’s going to be quite the challenge, but I believe we’ll give it our all,” he stated. “As a mid-major, I’m really proud of what we can achieve.”