By Ralph Chery, Contributor | 

CCNY’s Men’s soccer team will be without their senior team captain, Abdul Abdulai, and senior forward Stephanos Hondrakis for their next two games due to injury. This leaves City without two key players, leading up to the team’s CUNYAC season opener against CSI.

Abdulai suffered a hamstring contusion in the fixture against Montclair State University last Monday. The midfielder started City’s home-opener against New York University on Wednesday. Abdulai later left the field in the first half because of discomfort, replaced by Maxwell Berkow for the remainder of the contest.

The senior is expected to miss a week, and therefore will not be able to compete against SUNY Purchase on Friday, College of New Rochelle on September 14th.

Hondrakis was stepped on by a Montclair player on Monday, which resulted into a sprained toe. The forward was still expected to start against NYU but limped off the pitch during warmup, and is also expected to miss the Beavers’ next two games.

“I feel terrible because I would love to be on the field almost every game, but I have to be smart and pick my battles,” the senior said on Wednesday.

Hondrakis and Abdulai were both valuable pieces in City’s starting 11 last season, scoring three goals each, the second best goal scoring tally on the team. So far this season, Abdulai leads the team in goals (1), assists (1) and shots taken (6).

Although Hondrakis is confident that the two’s absences won’t take a heavy toll on the team.

“I do have confidence in my teammates, that they can play at the level that they’re expected to play,” the 23-year-old said.

On the bright side, former U.S. international futsal (indoor soccer) player Miguel Muniz recovered from an ankle injury he picked up at training last week. Muniz made his collegiate debut against NYU.

City’s next opponent, SUNY Purchase, are 0-3 for their season so far. In contrast, College of New Rochelle are off to a terrific start in their inaugural season, winning their first two games while conceding only one goal. The Beavers look to stay strong, as well as turn their early season troubles around.

*Cover photo by Taylor Jo Gillen / CCNY Beaver Beat.