Exantus, Chery Score in Draw at Desert

San Diego City opened its season last week with a loss at Arizona Western in Yuma, Calif., but they played their first 3C2A game on Friday and scored a late goal to earn a 2-2 draw on the road at College of the Desert. 

After falling behind 1-0 midway through the first half, the Knights leveled the score just before the halftime whistle when last season's PCAC Offensive Player of the Year, Jamesley Exantus, put in City's first goal of the season. 

Exantus led the Knights with 14 goals and seven assists in 20 games in 2024. 

College of the Desert regained a 2-1 lead in the 75th minute, but the Knights responded less than two minutes later when freshma Kervens Chery scored the equalizer.

City goalkeeper Diego Garcia, who made all-PCAC last year, saved eight shots, all in the second half, to help earn the result. 

The Knights will play their third consecutive road game on Tuesday, Sept. 2 at San Bernardino Valley.

The Knights' first eight games are all on the road. They won't have a home game until Sept. 26 when they open PCAC play against state champion Cuyamaca.