City Starts PCAC With 3-1 Win Over IVC

The Knights started the PCAC season on Tuesday and got goals from Javier Monarrez, David Dircio, and Juan Baldonado on their way to a 3-1 home win over Imperial Valley.

City, who dominated possession early, scored the first goal of the game in the 20th minute when Matt Alonso set up Monarrez for an easy tap-in, his team-leading third goal of the season. 

Not too long later in the 27th minute, Roberto Perez sent in a cross from the left side to Dircio who beat IVC's keeper for his first goal of the season. 

The Knights, who outshot IVC 12-5 in the first half, continued to press forward the remainder of the half and got off two more shots on goal, but both were saved as they had to settle for a 2-0 halftime lead. 

Balandrano did not waste much time in breaking through for his first goal of the year in the 48th minute to put the Knights ahead, 3-0. Yovanny Contreras set that goal up off a corner kick that went to Balandrano 10 feet in front of the net. Balandrano headed it once and hit the crossbar, but got to the rebound and headed it again, this time into the back of the net.

Imperial Valley put some pressure on City later in the second half and got a goal from German Molina, but City's defense did not allow any more. 

Knights' goalkeeper was stellar throughout the match with seven saves on the day, including five in the second half to help preserve the victory.

City will be home again on Friday at 1 p.m. vs. Cuyamaca.