Knights Shutout IVC in Final Home Match

San Diego City extended its unbeaten streak to five after shutting out Imperial Valley, 2-0, in the final PCAC home match of the season. Christopher Miramontes and Johnson Nguyen scored the goals as the Knights improved to 7-5-5 overall and 5-2-2 in the conference. 

The Knights came into Friday's match needing to win to keep pace with first-place Cuyamaca (10-4-2, 7-1-1) and were able to hold off IVC and stay in contention for the PCAC title with three road games remaining, including a high stakes contest at Cuyamaca coming up on Tuesday.

San Diego City had a slow start on Friday and nearly fell behind early, but Knights' goalkeeper Alan Juarez made a save in the fifth minute and another IVC shot hit the crossbar in the ninth minute. 

They finally ended the scoreless tie in the 24th minute when Miramontes received a pass from Jamesley Exantus near the penalty spot and beat IVC's goalkeeper with a ball to the left side of the net. It was Miramontes' fourth goal of the season and Exantus' seventh assist.

In the second half, Imperial Valley stepped up their offensive efforts with repeated attempts and outshot San Diego City, 6-5, but the Knights kept their composure and eventually doubled their lead in the 87th minute.

Johnson Nguyen, who had missed the previous three games due to injury, capitalized on a well-placed pass from Matthew Alonso to score his sixth goal of the year and put the Knights ahead, 2-0.

San Diego City's disciplined defense and Juarez's standout goalkeeping earned them their fifth clean sheet of the season.

After Tuesday's crucial game at Cuyamaca (3 p.m.), the Knights will close out the conference season with games at Southwestern on Nov. 5 and at Mesa on Nov. 8.