Yes, his real birth name is Gunner – and Roadrunner Men's Soccer goalkeeper Gunner Hoffman doesn't mind answering that question over and over again when asked.
But then again, when you are achieving a season that can only be described as one for the ages – one in which the former Williamstown High star has emerged as one of the nation's top goalkeepers - you certainly understand all of the interest.
"People always ask, so I'm used to it," said Hoffman, who also swam and played baseball in high school. "It's just a part of who I am."
One thing is certain about Gunner's personality and competitive spirit. As his name might indicate, he is driven to win.
Hoffman has proven tough as nails when defending the RCSJ goal cage – whether he is laser-focused on turning back shots from an oncoming opponent or staring down and stoning an aggressive rival on a penalty kick. And don't think that having a crowd of opposing players milling around the Roadrunner cage is enough to intimidate Hoffman – that just doesn't happen.
Even his game uniform has dirt marks throughout – before the game even starts!
Quite frankly not much gets by Gunner, a co-captain and solid leader on an RCSJ team that has posted a 10-5 overall record against a competitive schedule. Just consider that:
- Hoffman has posted 9 shutouts in the current fall season, a school record and a mark that leads the nation among all D-III goalkeepers.
- On Oct. 12 he set the school record for consecutive scoreless minutes (396) in a season previously held by Mike Malloy in 1984.
- He has 14 career shutouts, surpassing the former mark of 12 held by Chris Lenahan in recent years.
- He ranks among the nation's leaders in minutes at 1137:30 (5th), saves with 75 (13th), goals against average at 0.47 (4th) and save percentage of .926 (3rd).
"My confidence keeps growing with each game," said Hoffman. "My teammates have been very supportive and always have my back, so it's easy to focus on my own game."
As hard it may be to imagine, Hoffman and talented goalkeeper Michael Sauers – who both played last spring with the pandemic in full swing -- were each in the running for the starting spot following a 7-4 campaign.
"Gunner didn't really win the position until this year – he and Michael (Sauers) were pretty even after watching them last spring," commented head coach George Hobbins. "And now Gunner has pretty much rewritten all of the records in our books here. He's risen to the occasion. There are many times when he's just carried us."
And if the Roadrunners hope to qualify for the NJCAA D-III National Championship Tournament for the first time in 26 years – they need two wins in the upcoming Region 19 tourney to make that happen – they will need a rock-solid postseason from Hoffman.
The No. 4 seed Runners host No. 5 Brookdale CC in an NJCAA District East A semifinal on Saturday in a 12 noon start with the winner advancing to play No. 1 seed Camden County College.
"We are so excited coming in to this (Region 19) tournament," said Hoffman. "We need two wins – that's our mentality – and we're confident we can do it."
A Business Administration major, Gunner hopes to continue his soccer career following RCSJ-Gloucester.
"My dream is to play soccer at a four-year university and of course to earn my Bachelor's Degree and then work in Finance after graduation," he noted.
