Queens, N.Y.- In a historic moment for Hunter College, the Hawks' men's soccer team captured their first CUNY Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) championship since 2010, shutting out top-seeded Lehman College 3-0 at Knights Field. The victory not only secured the long-awaited title but also set the stage for the Hawks' journey to the NCAA Division III Tournament. Fans can find out Hunter's tournament destination during the NCAA DIII Selection Show on Monday at 1:30 p.m.

Hunter started strong, with senior Abdullah Al Maghrabi opening the scoring in the 28th minute, capitalizing on a perfect assist from Ben Avakook. The Hawks' relentless defense, anchored by goalkeeper Matthew Heimowitz, who made nine crucial saves, kept Lehman at bay and preserved the first-half lead.

In the second half, Hunter extended their dominance. Bradley Espejo struck in the 77th minute to make it 2-0, and just two minutes later, Avakook sealed the victory with a goal assisted by Ahmed Abukar. Avakook's stellar performance, with a goal and an assist, highlighted a day where Hunter controlled both ends of the field.

Hunter goalkeeper Matthew Heimowitz delivered a stellar performance, making nine crucial saves to secure a shutout and anchor the defense in the CUNYAC championship victory.

This emphatic win and the championship glory mark a significant achievement for the Hawks, who now set their sights on making an impact at the national level.