Pietro Santi, a cornerstone of Hofstra’s backline, has been crowned the Preseason College Athletic Association Men’s Soccer Player of the Year, a testament to his influence on a defense that helped the Pride post seven shutouts last season.
The team’s prospects were bolstered when the league’s coaches and administrators placed the Pride at the top of the CAA North Division, awarding them eight first‑place votes and a total of 43 points in the preseason poll.
Hofstra’s defensive unit allowed fewer than one goal per game throughout 2025, a statistic that underpinned a 14‑5‑1 record and a 7‑1 mark within the conference, ultimately propelling the squad to a 20th‑ranked finish in the United Soccer Coaches poll and a run to the NCAA championship third round.
A Season of Promise
Building on that momentum, the program will open its 2026 campaign on Thursday night at Bucknell, a non‑conference test that could set the tone for a schedule that includes a showdown with Elon, the projected South Division champion.
With six returning players, including Santi as the sole starter back on the field, the Pride are poised to blend experience with fresh talent, aiming to translate preseason expectations into another successful season.