City College men’s soccer finished strong Tuesday, scoring three late goals to defeat Santa Monica College 4-2 during its annual sophomore game at La Playa Stadium.

The Veterans Day matchup was the final home game of the season for City College and the final time most of the sophomore Vaqueros would play at La Playa Stadium.

“We wanted to give the sophomores a chance to play early, but things weren’t going our way,” said Head Coach John Sisterson. “So we switched things up a bit and were able to bang in some goals.”

Scoring chances were scarce in the first-half, with both teams struggling to connect with passes. Sophomore forward Kieron Coleman (No.9) delivered City College’s best attempt, a 35-yard blast that deflected off the top of the crossbar and out of bounds. The teams would enter the second half tied at 0-0.

Fans at La Playa Stadium saw a scoreless first-period turn into a second-half scoring spree. City College sophomore Omar Montalvo (No. 17) opened up the scoring in the 48^th minute. Montalvo had only been in the game for three minutes when teammate Aaron Aaberg (No. 15) found him streaking down the left side of the field for the first goal of the game.

“The coaches said they were leaving me open 10 or 15 yards ahead of everybody, so when Aaron had the ball I whispered to him to ‘hold,’ Montalvo said. “He passed it at the right moment, I touched it forward and hit the ball as hard as I could.”

Sisterson said he was pleased to see Montalvo get a goal in his final game at La Playa Stadium.

“Gonzalo hasn’t played much this year, he’s been in and out due to injury,” Sisterson said. “It was nice to see him get a goal.”

The highlight play of the game came in the 74^th minute courtesy of City College freshman Albi Skendi(No.14).  Skendi penetrated deep into Santa Monica’s side of the field, only to find himself pinned in the corner by the defense. While using his body to box out two defenders, Skendi slipped a back heel pass through a defender’s legs and to himself on the other side. Santa Monica defenders fouled Skendi to prevent an easy goal, but Skendi converted the penalty kick to extend the City College lead to 2-0.

Santa Monica would strike back just two minutes later. City College gave up possession at midfield, leading to a deep lob pass that got over City College defenders to Santa Monica midfielder Duncan Bochicchio (No. 14). Bochicchio chipped the ball over the hands of Vaquero goalkeeper Oscar Haard-Thelm(No.00) to cut the City College lead in half.

City College took control of the game late, putting it away with two goals in the 81^st and 83^rd minute. The first was scored by freshman forward Gonzalo Jimenez(No.17),  courtesy of an assist from freshman forward Kebba Nyang(No.33). The last goal was scored by freshman Jonathan Mora(No.30) off of a missed shot by freshman defender Napoleon Bergstroem(No.21).

Bochicchio would score again for Santa Monica in the 85^th minute to make it 4-2, but it was too little too late. City College played tough defense for the final five minutes to preserve it’s lead and emerge victorious in it’s final home game.

“Santa Monica is a dangerous team, they scored three on us at their place. At the end of the day, I thought we deserved the result.”

City College plays its final game 2 p.m. on Friday at Moorpark.