The San Diego City College men’s soccer team lost their regular season finale 4-1 to Pacific Coast Athletic Conference leader Cuyamaca, (13-4-2, 10-1-1 PCAC) at Cuyamaca College, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.
The match was a draw until the 35th minute when Cuyamaca’s Ali Almaliki scored off a rebound. Cuyamaca then added another goal in the 42nd minute, shocking City with two quick goals before halftime.
City rebounded quickly in the second half, as City’s leading goal scorer Jamesely Exantus put one into the net within the first 5 minutes to make it a 2-1 game.
Cuyamaca thwarted any potential Knight comeback by adding two more goals in the 65th and 75th minutes, putting the game away.
City’s loss is its first since Oct. 4, when it lost to Cuyamaca 2-1, giving them a record of 3-5-4 at the time.
The Knights then rattled off a stretch where they were 6-0-1, which reinvigorated their season and gave them a chance at a playoff berth.
City College head coach Chris Tolles credited his team’s chemistry and effort as instrumental in his team’s turnaround.
“They made an effort to come together as a group, and not 22 individuals,” Tolles said. “They took it one game at a time and it exceeded my expectations. I kind of had a five-year plan, and we’re right there in year three. So I’m extremely happy.”
The Knights needed a win against Cuyamaca to guarantee a playoff berth, and now await their playoff fate, which will be revealed to them this weekend.
“I’ll know for sure Saturday morning, most likely Friday night,” Tolles said. “There are still teams playing that will have games on Friday that could really determine our fate.”
With the possibility of this being his team’s last game together, Tolles and his team held back tears as they met post-game through sniffled speeches.
“If this is the last time we step on the field together, you have nothing to be ashamed of,” Tolles told his team. “This group has put City College back to where it belongs, and I can never pay you back for that.”
