With a goalkeeper as strong as San Diego City College’s Sebastian Guillen, backup Alan Juarez hadn’t seen much playing time this season.

But after a red card sent the 6-foot-4 sophomore Guillen to the bench late in a crucial game against rival Mesa College, the 5-8 freshman Juarez put on the gloves with the Knights hanging onto the lead by one goal. 

“When we needed him, (Juarez) stepped in and made two monster saves to save the game,” head coach Chris Tolles said. “And I’m just proud of him because he’s been waiting his turn, waiting his turn and he got it today.”

The Knights men’s soccer team defeated the Olympians, 2-1, despite losing Guillen in the final five minutes of play at Mesa’s Merrill Douglas Stadium on Oct. 13.

Guillen was ejected after he collided with an Olympians player chasing an errant pass.

With the win, City (4-9-1, 2-3) overtakes Mesa (2-7-2, 1-2-2) in the Pacific Coast Athletics Conference rankings, with seven and eight games left for both teams, respectively.

With City up 2-1, Juarez made two crucial saves to maintain the Knights’ lead while down to 10 players on the field. 

Before stepping off the field, Guillen also made six saves against Mesa shots on goal, making him the highest-ranked California Community Colleges goalie with 100 saves. 

The first City goal was scored in the 9th minute by freshman midfielder Isaac Velazquez, who is tied for third-highest scorer in the CCC, with an assist from freshman defender Akuar Yamun.

After Mesa scored in the 43rd minute to tie the game, freshman forward Brett Woodworth scored a penalty kick in the 61st minute to give City the lead. 

“The nerves start to build up because you see the time ticking down,” Woodworth said, “and you just got to continue to stay focused, continue to encourage the team to keep fighting.”

City will play MiraCosta College (5-4-2, 3-1-1) next at home on Oct. 17 at 3 p.m.