City College men’s soccer home opener ends in hard-fought draw

Knights tie Canyons 0-0 despite possession for majority of match

Danny Straus, Sports Editor

September 2, 2024

City College freshman Jamesley Exantus (21) dribbles away from College of the Canyon’s defender Andrew Montes (7) at home Friday, August 30, 2024. Photo by Danny Straus/City Times Media

San Diego City College men’s soccer tied College of the Canyons in a home game on Aug. 30 that was highly contested throughout.

The first home game of the season was a defensive battle that ended in a scoreless draw.

Despite an attempted penalty kick, six shots on goal and possession for the majority of the game, City was unable to score.

While City was on the attack for most of the game, the result frustrated Head Coach Chris Tolles, who packed up quickly after.

“We controlled the game,” Tolles said after the game. “We were just lacking a little bit of creativity in the final third to put it away.”

The game was a physical battle with a combined 30 fouls, 18 of which were committed in the second half.

San Diego City College head coach Chris Tolles, center, pleads with his team to have more urgency at halftime next to his assistants, Cameron Roget, left, and Ale Camacho, right, during City’s match against College of the Canyons at home, August, 30, 2024. Photo by Danny Straus/City Times Media

With two minutes remaining in the match, freshman forward Samuel Ruiz was fouled in Canyon’s box, resulting in a penalty kick and provided City with their best opportunity to score.

Canyon’s goalie blocked Ruiz’s free-kick as he aimed for the bottom left corner of the goal.

Freshman forward Jamesley Exantus was also a continuous aggressor for City throughout the match. One of Exantus’ attempted shots hit the post, missing the goal by inches.

Despite the result, Coach Tolles said he is optimistic about the rest of the season.

“I am extremely happy with the roster, but that’s just on paper … we got a lot of work to do,” Tolles said. “But I think we’re in a lot better shape than we have been the last two years.”

The Knights are now 0-1-1 after losing at Oxnard College, 4-1 in the season opener.

City will be back home Sep. 3 and Sep. 6 to face College of the Desert and Orange Coast College, respectively.

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