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San Diego City College men’s soccer (6-2-4 overall, 2-1-1 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference) dominated offensively against conference foe Southwestern College (4-5-2, 1-1-2 PCAC) 8-3 at home on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
City was scorching hot with six different players scoring goals against the Southwestern Jaguars. Defensively, goalie Diego Garcia had seven saves on 10 shots and allowed three goals.
The match was scoreless until forward Alexander Torres opened the floodgates with a goal in the 22nd minute.
Connor Mckelliget scored a goal in each of the two halves and had two assists on the day. One such assist was to Jamesley Exantus, who contributed two goals of his own and had an assist.
Mckelliget attributed the flurry of offense to a heightened intensity at practice and increased team preparation in anticipation of a physical matchup.
“I think it’s the team in training working hard, just making stuff happen,” Mckelliget said. “We’re all fighting for each other, making things happen for each other. (We) couldn’t do it without each other.”
The win couldn’t come at a better time as the Knights are fresh off a 2-2 draw versus Imperial Valley and a tough 2-1 loss versus San Diego Mesa College.
Head coach Chris Tolles recognized his squad was riding high after starting the season strong, winning five of six, including a huge win against last year’s state champions Cuyamaca on Sept. 26 to start this season’s conference play, but needed to refocus.
“We got off to our best non-conference start since I’ve been here, which is great, because that helps towards hopefully making the playoffs,” Tolles said. “I think it went a little bit to our heads.”
After a strong week of training, City dug in offensively and battled defensively. Garcia was solid in the first half, conceding only one goal, while the offense poured it on, scoring four goals in each half against Southwestern.
Both teams put on a show for the fans, combining for six goals in the second half. Southwestern battled until the end despite being down 4-1 at the half. Jesus Valenzuela scored in the 53rd minute — only to have Exantus respond with his first goal of the day in the same minute.
Southwestern would score for the last time in the 59th minute, closing the lead 5 – 3, but the Knights would not be stopped as they scored three straight goals to close out the match.
The City College men’s soccer team received a No. 14 statewide ranking and has amassed 13 goals in four conference games, 36 goals overall.
“It’s exciting because that’s the first time I’ve been ranked here as head coach,” Tolles said. “It’s a really talented group. Top to bottom, it’s the most talent I’ve had since I’ve been here. But again, it’s just getting that job done and going back to work.”
The Knights get back to work with another home match at 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10 vs. Palomar.
— David J. Bohnet
City women win 2-1 against Grossmont
The City College women’s soccer team ended a three-game losing streak with a 2–1 home win over Grossmont on Tuesday, improving to 4–5 overall and 3–4 in the PCAC.
Goals from Juliette Salgado Garcia and Bree Ortega gave the Knights the edge in a hard-fought match.
After a scoreless first half, Salgado Garcia was fouled inside the box in the final minute before halftime. She converted the penalty kick with a powerful shot to the right side, giving City a one-point lead.
The Knights scored again in the 63rd minute when Grossmont’s keeper illegally handled a back pass. Christiana Macias tapped the indirect free kick to Ortega, who fired it into the net, which made it 2–0.
Grossmont earned a free kick from Emily Guerra to make it 2-1, but City keeper Ximena Flores made a key save moments later the Knights fought hard until the end to secure the win.
City College now heads into a four-game road stretch, starting Friday, Oct. 10, at Palomar.
— Alyvia Pearson
Update, Friday, Oct. 10 at 3:15 p.m.: Video embedded and link to video and transcript added.
