By Ralph Chery, Contributor | 

You thought City College men’s soccer team’s championship season last year was just a phase they were going through, didn’t you? Well, guess what. They look even better this season.

The Beavers finished the regular season with 16 points, one point better than when they won the title last year, and the best regular season they’ve had since 2007.

Mustapha Camara, who fought his way to the starting 11 after playing only 80 minutes last season, was thrilled by this accomplishment.

“It’s an honor to represent the school and have the best record for the team,” Camara said after their last game of the regular season. “But what’s more important is the championship, we’re looking forward to the championship. Even if we had perfect points, like winning all the games, if we don’t win the playoffs it doesn’t mean anything.”

Even though they’re off their best regular-season in nine years, City finished third in the CUNYAC standings, and wasn’t granted the bye-round in the quarterfinals given to the top two seeds.

But third place appears to be their lucky spot. The last two times CCNY made it to the final they finished third in the conference.

City College Last Four Seasons

Year	Points	Standings	Clinched
2016	16	3rd	???
2015	15	3rd	Won the final
2014	9	5th	Quarter-finals
2013	16	3rd	Lost in the final

All-star keeper Maxwell Berkow is assured that the Beavers can make another trip to the final from the third seed.

“We won the conference from the third seed last year, we can do it again,” the senior keeper said.

Berkow is satisfied about playing the best regular-season since 2007, but feels like more was expected from them.

“I’m happy but it should’ve been way more than 16,” Berkow said. “This team could’ve went undefeated, but you know what, things happen. We got to stay disciplined, we just got to move forward.”

Maxwell Berkow taking a goalkick during the 2-1 win against Baruch College on Sept. 24 at Icahn Stadium. Photo by Curtis Ashley / CCNY BeaverBeat

The best season CCNY ever had was in 2005, when they went undefeated and won the CUNYAC title.

To go with their sensational season, all-stars Kenan Redzematovic and Abul Abdulai played the best conference season of their career.

Abdulai had a career-high three assists, while Redzematovic netted five goals in seven CUNY games.

The Beavers will hope to carry their regular-season form into the playoffs as they host Baruch College on Wednesday at Randall’s Island at 3:00 p.m.

“Stay disciplined, play our game,” Berkow said when asked what can give his side victories in the playoffs. “The way I see it we’re the best team in the conference, as long as we play our game, as long as we play the way we can no one is going to stop us.”  

*Cover photo by Curtis Ashley / CCNY BeaverBeat