Men’s soccer lost 2-1 against the Canyon Cougars in the first round of the So-Cal playoffs Saturday.

What was built up to be redemption from last year’s first-round elimination, the Vaqueros couldn’t build on their momentum to pass the first round.

The eight-seeded Cougars stunned City College at the opening of the game with two goals in the first half.

“We didn’t play well enough in the first half,” Head Coach John Sisterson said. “We showed inexperience, but in the second half we came back strong, but that wasn’t enough.”

After the slow start, the Vaqueros fought their way back into the game. They started dominating possession and creating plenty of chances to score, but couldn’t capitalize. Danny Molineaux added his eighth goal of the season fifty minutes into the second half, but that was as close as City College would get.

“I’m proud of the boys, they have worked hard all season,” Sisterson said. “They showed great courage in the second half.”

Molineaux and Captain Stuart Kirk have played their maximum two years on the City College team, and will not be eligible to play another year.

But the future looks bright and coach Sisterson is not worried. With a few new additions to the squad, they will improve even more.

“The goals for next season is to win the title again and sneak their way into the top four of the SoCal playoffs,” he said. “And hopefully win it all.”