Hofstra Welcomes Six Newcomers For 2024; Announces Spring Schedule

2/27/2024 4:41:00 PM

By: Len Skoros

Hempstead, NY - The Hofstra University men's soccer program, which has won three consecutive CAA Championships, has added six newcomers to the team this spring. All six are training with the team during spring practice. Joining the Pride are Aleksei Armas, Charlie Blair, Lennon Gill, Laurie Goddard, Daniele Mastroianni, and David Roberts.

"We are pleased to add these six talented newcomers," said Hofstra Head Men's Soccer Coach Richard Nuttall. "Each player fills a specific need for us and we look forward to them learning our system during the spring so we are ready to continue our incredible run of success this fall."

Armas (Floral Park, NY), a central midfielder, is a transfer from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York. he played in 31 games for the Panthers over two seasons and recorded a pair of assists in 2023. White at Adelphi, Armas was a Northeast 10 Academic Honor Roll selection in all three semesters. Armas attended Floral Park High School and played soccer for the New York Cosmos Academy and with FC Westchester. He was a team captain for both squads. Armas is the son of Chris Armas, who enjoyed a storied professional and international career, and currently serves as the head coach of the Colorado Rapids (MLS).

Blair (Bayside, NY), a midfielder/defender, comes to Hofstra from Chaminade High School and the U19 MLS Next program. After playing two seasons on the junior varsity at Chaminade, where he was a team captain and Most Valuable Player, he chose to play MLS Next instead of high school varsity soccer. In 2023, he was team captain and was named to the IMG Tournament All-Star Team. Blair also helped his squad to the round of 16 in the MLS Next Playoffs. While at Chaminade, he was an honor student.

Gill (Dublin, Ireland), a forward, attended St. Benildus College in Dublin and was a three-time Soccer Player of the Year Award recipient (2017, 2018, 2019). In 2022, he represented Ireland on the International Schools U18 team and scored twice in the Centenary Shield. He also was a team captain. Gill has also played on the Ireland U18 and U19 teams, and was the top goal scorer in the U17 League of Ireland with 21 goals.

Goddard (London, England), a midfielder/forward, comes to Hofstra after two seasons at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts. During his two seasons, Goddard played in and started 18 games. He recorded 11 goals and five assists for 27 points. This past season he earned All-Northeast Conference First Team and third team all-region accolades after leading the team with 10 goals and three assists.

Mastroianni (Montreal, Quebec), a forward, spent the Fall 2023 semester at UMass Lowell, where he played in all 16 games for the River Hawks and started nine. He ranked second on the team with four goals. During his scholastic career, Mastroianni played soccer, hockey, and ran track at Loyola High School. He was part of the U17 National Championship and the U18 Provincial Championship teams as a senior, and was team Most Valuable Player and captain.

Roberts (Essex, United Kingdom), a center back, attended Harris Academy Ockendon in the United Kingdom where he was a member of the soccer and track and field teams. As a member of the track team, he earned gold in the 300m at the Thurrock Athletic District Championships in 2019. He also played soccer for Chelsea and Swansea City youth teams and served as Chelsea's vice-captain in 2019. During the 2022-23 season, Roberts made 18 appearances for Swansea City and averaged six tackles and interceptions per game.

The six new players, along with the rest of the Pride, will be in action this spring in a five-game schedule that begins March 8 vs. Adelphi.

2024 Spring Schedule
March 8 vs. Adelphi at 5 p.m. (home)
April 5 at Queens at 6 p.m. (away)
April 12 vs. St. John's at 8 p.m. (home)
April 19 vs. Seton Hall at 4 p.m. (home)
April 26 vs. Stony Brook at 4 p.m. (home)

Hofstra was 14-3-5 in 2023, winning the CAA Championship for the third consecutive season and advancing to the third round of the NCAA Championship as the No. 14 seed. The Pride were ranked No. 17 in the final United Soccer Coaches Poll of the 2023 season.

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