It may sound a bit strange but Freddy Hall has grown tired of island paradises.

Hall, a native of Bermuda, yearns for greener pastures. His goals are limitless while his job is to limit goals.

The contradictions that define Hall perhaps are what make him one of the nation's top collegiate soccer goalkeepers. Hall is currently riding a shut-out streak of more than 210 minutes, leading Quinnipiac to an undefeated mark of 4-0-5 on the season.

The Bobcats play host to Bryant today (yesterday), bringing to an end a successful six-game homestand. Quinnipiac are ranked fourth in the North Atlantic regional poll and a happily situated Hall is one of the big reasons why.

"I hate to admit it, but when I go back to Bermuda I can't stand it after a couple of weeks," Hall said. "I feel so confined when I'm there. Every time I'm there I need to get out."

Hall said that's because the island is so small. He grew up playing soccer and cricket in Bermuda and then went to prep school in New Hampshire because he said the educational system in Bermuda could not match that of the US.

Hall also knows that his soccer skills have paved the way. He played at South Florida for a year before transferring to Quinnipiac and has played every game since his arrival on the Hamden campus.

"Freddy has an unlimited future," Quinnipiac coach Eric DaCosta said. "He can go anywhere and we're trying to prepare him for soccer at the next level."

Of course, DaCosta hopes the Bobcats can ride his coat tails to a Northeast Conference title in the meantime. While Hall preps for a professional career with dreams of playing in the English Premier League, he is currently third in the nation with a .930 save percentage. Just two years ago, in his first season at Quinnipiac, Hall led the nation in save percentage (.915) and saves per game (7.38).

His immediate goal is a simple one.

"I told everyone at the captains' meeting at the end of last season that I'm not leaving here without an NEC title," Hall said. "And I mean it."

As of now the Bobcats are right on schedule. Hall was not happy with a recent tie but Quinnipiac certainly is a programme on the rise.

"I've been here for three years and the first year the team went 1-16," Hall said. "Seeing these huge strides and the school getting ranked shows the progress we've made."

Hall traces the programme's success back to their win at Boston College two years ago.

"That was a huge win," he said. "It's the only ACC team this school has beaten and it really turned things around here."

After the graduation of high-scoring Graciano Brito last year, the Bobcats changed tactics from an attacking style to more of a defensive game plan.

"It was only natural that with Graciano we'd try to open things up offensively," DaCosta said. "Now we take advantage of Freddy and the things that he does. We try to help him out on the defensive end."

DaCosta said that Hall's greatest attributes were his athleticism and instinct in goal.

"He reads the play well," DaCosta said. "He's a great leaper. He's quick. He really has everything you need in a goalkeeper."

DaCosta wants Hall to be more of a leader on the pitch and direct his defenders. Other than that, he has few shortfalls.

Hall said he has received some interest from professional squads in Europe already and DaCosta said that although Hall is 23, the timetable for keepers is extensive.

"It's common for keepers to come into their prime in their 30s so Freddy has plenty of time to work on his game," DaCosta said. "His future is bright."

Hall, who has played for several years on the Bermuda national team, has five shut-outs this season. He is also getting invaluable one-on-one training sessions from former Trinidad and Tobago (World Cup) and West Ham United (EPL) keeper Neil Shaka Hislop.