Written by Michael Lewis

It should come as no surprise that four players from the Long Island Rough Riders’ men’s team have excelled for Hofstra University this fall.

Goalkeeper Wessel Speel, Defender Pierce Infuso, midfielders Roc Carles and Albert Kang and forward Ryan Carmichael have played major roles in helping he Pride to third place the Coastal Athletic Association standings with a 3-1-2 record. The team is 9-3-4 overall.

Hofstra received votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches Division I rankings as of Oct. 17.

Here is how they have fared through Oct. 19:

Wessel Speel

Speel has been a rock for the Hofstra defense, surrendering only 13 goals in 16 games as the Pride has become of the leading teams in the Coastal Athletic Conference. He has recorded seven shutouts and has produced 53 saves with much more to come as Hofstra is heading for the CAA tournament and perhaps the NCAA Division I men’s tourney.

The senior goalkeeper was named the CAA defensive player of the week on Sept. 25 and Aug. 28.

The 6-7, 200-lb. Speel enjoyed a strong week on either side of the ball in September. The Utrecht, The Netherlands native recorded eight saves over two matches and secured his first career assist in the win over the College of William & Mary, Speel had five saves in recording his 20th career shutout in the win over LIU and then made three stops against William & Mary.

Pierce Infuso

Infuso, who has overcome an injury he endured during the 2023 USL League Two season, has been a mainstay in Hofstra’s defensive line, starting all 17 matches. Infuso has been essential playing in front of goalkeeper Speel to only surrendering 13 goals. He even contributed the lone goal in the team’s 2-1 loss to Delaware as well as an assist in the team’s 4-2 triumph over Providece.  

Ryan Carmichael

Carmichael was featured in a story earlier this month, but we would be remiss in not giving you an update on his scoring heroics. Carmichael leads the Pride with 10 goals, while collecting four assists in 16 contests. He has collected a pair of braces this season, against the College of William & Mary on Sept. 23 and vs. Elon University on Sept. 30. Surprisingly, the 5-11, 160-lb. standout is scoreless in his last four matches through Oct. 19.

The Armagh, Northern Ireland native was named the CAA offensive player of the week on Sept. 25. The 5-11, 160-lb. attacker certainly had two memorable matches that week. Carmichael started with a goal and an assist in the 3-0 victory over LIU last and then closed with a two-goal performance in a 2-1 victory past William & Mary.

Roc Carles

The Mataro, Spain, native might not have all those gaudy numbers but his performance in the midfield has been key for the Pride’s success. The 5-8, 145-lb. midfielder has registered two assists this campaign, one vs. UMBC and another against LIU.

Albert Kang

Kang is another midfielder who might not have fantastic numbers, but head coach Richard Nuttall knows how important he is to the team. He recorded one goal and three assists. The 55, 155-lb. Kang tallied a goal and an assist in a 4-2 victory at Providence College on Sept. 1. The Maple Ridge, British Columbia native added assists in a 2-0 win vs. UMBC on Sept. 12 and another in a 2-2 tie Campbell on Sept. 16.

A graduate student, Kang played a vital role on defense for the Rough Riders this past summer, helping the side reach the USL League Two playoffs.