FLUSHING, NY --- (www.YORKATHLETICS.com) York College's Ernest Bawilliam was named to the eight-member 2025 CUNYAC Men's Soccer Preseason Player to Watch list, announced Tuesday by the league office.

Starting in nine matches in 2024 as a midfielder, defender, and forward, Bawilliam played 797 total minutes, recorded five shots on target, and helped keep a clean sheet in his debut against Pratt Institute (Sept. 24). For his efforts, the sophomore earned the York College Men's Soccer Newcomer of the Year.

On a team basis, coaches predict the Cardinals to finish in seventh place.

2025 CUNYAC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll

	Points (First-Place Votes)
1. Baruch College	46 (5)
T-2. Lehman College	40 (2)
T-2. Hunter College	40 (1)
T-4. John Jay College	28
T-4. Brooklyn College	28
6. CCNY	23
7. York College	10
8. Medgar Evers College	9

Baruch College leads the way with 46 points and five first-place points, while both Lehman College and Hunter College accumulated 40 points. Coaches view York as the seventh-best squad, totaling 10 points. The Cardinals' seven-match conference slate begins with a home battle against Lehman College on October 1.

The 2025 CUNYAC Championship will take place on October 29 (first round), November 1 (semifinals), and November 8 (finals), with the league champion receiving an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament.

Along with Bawilliam, third-year head coach Brahim Chhab returns the experienced George Molina and Jamar Johnson, along with a talented group of rotation players and newcomers.  

The Cardinals kick off the campaign Wednesday (Sept. 3) against the Purchase College Panthers in a home matchup from York College Outdoor Athletic Complex starting at 3 p.m.

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