Hempstead, NY - The Hofstra University men's soccer team, ranked No. 23 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll, opens the 2025 season Thursday night at home against Bucknell. Kickoff from Captains Field is set for 7 p.m. The Pride will be seeking their fifth consecutive CAA Championship and NCAA appearance in 2025. 

Thursday's game will be streamed live on FloCollege with live statistics also available. Links for both can be found at GoHofstra.com.

Hofstra is coming off a 14-5-2 season in 2024, earning a No. 7 seed in the NCAA Championship. The Pride dropped a 2-1 decision to eventual National Champion Vermont in the second round. Hofstra has 10 players returning from last season including CAA Preseason Player of the Year Laurie Goddard and Honorable Mention Preseason All-CAA pick Gabriel Pacheco. Goddard scored nine goals and added five assists last season, while Pacheco was a key cog on the Pride defense and added one goal and one assist. Other key returnees are Owen Barnett (3 assists), Pablo Hempelmann-Perez (1 goal, 2 assists), Thengill Orrason (1 goal, 2 assists), Aleksei Armas (1 goal), and Jon Jelercic (1 assist).

Bucknell was 7-7-6 last season and won the Patriot League championship. The Bison lost to Providence in the first round of the NCAA Championship. The Bison were picked second in the Patriot League preseason poll, while goalkeeper Freddie Lapworth was named the league's Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year.

Hofstra is 13-5-5 in season openers dating back to 2002 and is 24-8-4 in home openers under Coach Richard Nuttall, who is entering his 37th and final season as head coach. The Pride is 4-3 all-time against Bucknell, but this is the first meeting since 1989.

Following Thursday's opener, Hofstra will remain at home for a Sunday night (7 p.m.) meeting against St. John's.