Palomar College Men's SOCCER

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Men's Soccer

2011 Schedule/Results | 2011 Roster

2011 season

ABOVE: Eduardo Ramos scores the first goal of the game to give the Comets a 1-0 lead over San Diego Mesa in the first half. BELOW LEFT: Goalkeeper Ulisses Martinez records one of his seven saves.. -- Photos by Hugh Cox. BELOW RIGHT: Willie Crespo, who had a save

Comets, Olympians fit to be tied for second time

SAN MARCOS (10-25-11) -- Palomar and San Diego Mesa battled to their second tie of the 2011 men's soccer season on Tuesday at Minkoff Field.

The Olympians, trailing the Comets 2-0 at the half, came back in the second half with two goals of their own as the teams finished in a 2-2 deadlock..

Eduardo Ramos and Alexis Mercado tallied the Comets' goals. Willie Crespo (right) contributed an assist, and Ulisses Martinez had seven saves in goal.

The two teams battled to a 1-1 standoff back on Oct. 7 at San Diego Mesa.

Palomar is 1-11-4 on the season

The Comets are 0-6-2 in conference.

Palomar battles back under lights and ties Mesa

SAN DIEGO (10-7-11) -- Palomar,which is having a frustrating men's soccer season after usually battling for the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference championship in recent seasons, nearly pulled off a victory on Friday under the lights at San Diego Mesa.

The Comets, trailing lby a goal at halftime, got a second-half goal from Eduardo Ramos left) off an assist from Alexis Mercado (right) but wound up settling for a 1-1 tie with the Olympians.

Travis Russell had three saves in goal for Palomar (1-8-3, 0-3-1).

Derick Fernandez gets a shot away during Comets' 1-0 win over College of the Desert on Thursday at Minkoff Field. -- Photo by Hugh Cox

Comets are 1-1-1 after blanking Desert by 1-0

SAN MARCOS (9-15-11) -- Palomar evemed ots men's soccer recordat 1-1-1 on Thursday at Minkoff Field with a 1-0 non-conference decision over College of the Desert.

Derick Fernandez gave Palomar a 1-0 halftime advantage off an assist by Alexis Mercado and the Comets shut down the Roadrunners in the second half.

Ulisis Martinez recorded his second straight shutout in goal for Palomar, notching five saves.

Martinez gets shutout, 8 saves in 0-0 tie with RCC

RIVERSIDE (9-9-11) -- Goalkeeper Ulises Martinez notched a shutout on Friday as Palomar battled to a 0-0 non-conference tie with host Riverside Community College.

Martinez recorded eight saves.

The Comets are 0-1-1. The Tigers fall to 1-2-1

Andrew Desser makes one of his eight saves in Palomar's season opener vs. Long Beach City College

Long Beach City spoils 2011 opener for Comets

SAN MARCOS (8-30-11) -- Visiting Long Beach City College spoiled Palomar's 2011 men's soccer opener at Minkoff Field on Tuesday, shutting out the Comets 3-0.

Palomar, coming off an 11-7-4 season, never got its attack untracked, but the Comets got eight saves from goalkeeper Andrew Desser.

Palomar will open 2011 season next Tuesday

SAN MARCOS (8-26-11) -- Palomar will open its 2011 men's soccer season next Tuesday, Aug. 30, when coach Carlos Hernandez (left) sends the Comets into action against Long Beach City College at Minkoff Field at 5 p.m.

Palomar also will play Riverside Community College, El Camino Compton, College of the Desert, Chaffey, Victor Valley, Santa Ana and San Bernardino Valley before opening their PCAC season on Sept. 27 at home against Southwestern.

The Comets were 11-7-4 overall, losing at College of the Canyons in the first round of the Southern California Regionals, and 7-3-2 in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference last season.

2010 season

Comets will visit Canyons in playoff opener

FULLERTON (11-16-10) -- Palomar was seeded No. 11 in the Southern California community college men's soccer regionals on Tuesday and will open the playoffs on Saturday afternoon at No. 6 seed College of the Canyons.

The Comets (11-6-1, second place, Pacific Coast Athletic Conference) will play the Cougars (13-5-2, third place, Western State Conference) at Cougar Stadium (left) on the COC campus in Santa Clarita.

The game will be the first step toward the CCCAA State Community College Championships at College of the Canyons on Dec. 3-5.

Topete, Santos & PC win, await seeding meeting

SAN MARCOS (11-12-10) -- Palomar, getting two goals and an assist from Johnny Topete (left) and Joseph Santos (right), closed out its men's soccer regular season with a 7-0 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference rout of Imperial Valley on Friday at Minkoff Field.

The Comets (11-6-4, 7-4-2) finished alone in second place in the PCAC after winning the conference outright a year ago. They now sit back and await the Southern California community college seeding meeting on Tuesday at Fullerton College to find out what their post-season fugure holds, if anything.

J.C. Orozco (two goals) joined Topete and Santos with a multiple-goal performance for coach Carlos Hernandez' team. Gabriel Da Silva Duarte contributed one goal and three assists. Hector Prado had five saves in goal and two assists.

Palomar led 4-0 at the half.

Palomar falls to Mesa, will try to finish with a win

SAN MARCOS (11-9-10) -- Palomar will try to close out its 2010 regular season on a winning note on Friday when it plays host to Imperial Valley at Minkoff Field at 3 p.m.

The Comets fell to 10-6-4 on the season, 6-4-2 ln the Pacific Coast Athletic Confere4nce as they were unable to convert a series of excellent scoring opportunities at home at Midnkoff Field.

Two Palomar attempts hit the crossbar at the top of the goal.

Goalkeeper Hector Prado (above) had five saves for the Comets.

Comets lose on the road, fall out of tie for 1st

CHULA VISTA (11-5-10) -- Palomar, playing on the road fell out of a tie for first place in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference when the Comets were upset 2-1 by Southwestern on Friday afternoon.

San Diego City College, a 3-0 winner over MiraCota, took over the undisputed conference lead when the Comets lost.

Joseph Santos (right) scored Palomar's goal, assisted by Johnny Topete. Hector Prado had eight saves in goal.

Palomar is 10-5-4, 6-2-2 in conference.

Topete's hat trick keys 6-1 rout over MiraCosta

SAN MARCOS (11-2-10) -- Johnny Topete (left) scored three more goals on Tuesday as Palomar routed rival MiraCosta for the second time this season in men's soccer, this time 6-1 at Minkoff Field.

The Comets also defeated the Spartans 5-1 on Oct. 8 at MiraCosta.

Topete, who has been playing with an injury, scored one goal in the first half, helping Palomar to a 4-1 lead at the intermission. He then tallied the game's fifth and sixth goals in the second half, one of them unassisted and the second one on a header in the 81st minute off J.C. Orozco's assist.

Joseph Santos contributed two goals and an assist for the Comets (10-4-4, 6-1-2). Gabriel Da Silva Duarte had one goal and two assists. Jesse Grajeda and Orozco each had one goal.. Hector Prado had four saves in goal.

Palomar and San Diego City College, a 1-0 winner over Cuyamaca, are now in a two-way tie for first place in the conference with 20 points apiece.

MiraCosta falls to 2-14-2 and 1-8-1 in conference.

ABOVE: Gabriel Da Silva Duarte (far right in all white) score's Palomar's goal in the eighth minute against San Diego City College on Monday. No. 11 in the scarlet uniform is SDCC defender Enrique Anguiano. BELOW LEFT: The Comets warm up before the game. -- Photos by Hugh Cox. BELOW RIGHT: Palomar goalkeeper Hector Prado, who had five saves.

Palomar, City fit to be tied; 4 teams tied for lead

SAN DIEGO (11-1-10) -- Visiting Palomar and San Diego City College battled to a 1-1 tie in their wet field make-up on Monday, leaving both teams tied with San Diego Mesa and Cuyamaca for first place in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference.

The Comets and Knights are both 5-1-2 in the PCAC going into Tuesday's games. The Olympians and Coyotes are both 5-2-2, leaving all four teams with 17 points.

Palomar took a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute on Gabriel Da Silva Duarte scored from 15 yards out off a pass from Johnny Topete in the box.

City College tied it up in the 24th minute on a goal by Cameron Roget.

The teams were tied 1-1 at halftime and that's the way the game ended after Hector Prado, the Comets' goalkeeper, made a diving save of a header by the Knights' Christian Renteria midway through the second half.

Prado finished the afternoon with seven saves.

Palomar went to 9-4-4 on the season. San Diego City went to 12-2-2. The Comets host MiraCosta on Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Minkoff Field. The Knights face Cuyamaca in a battle of two of the co-leaders, while Mesa has a bye.

ABOVE: Palomar's Edgar Aguilar tallies the game's only goal in Palomar's 1-0 victory over Cuyamaca on Friday. BELOW LEFT: Hector Prado makes one of his five saves in goal in his shutout. -- Photos by Hugh Cox

Palomar turns back first-place Cuyamaca 1-0

SAN MARCOS (10-29-10) -- Edgar Aguilar scored the only goal of the game off Johnny Topete's assist on Friday afternoon to break a scoreless halftime tie and give Palomar a 1-0 men's soccer win over Cuyamaca, the PCAC's first-place team, at home on the Comets' Minkoff Field.

Goalkeeper Hector Prado notched six saves on the way to the shutout over the Coyotes.

Palomar (9-4-3, 5-1-1) closed to within one point of Cuyamaca (8-3-1, 5-2-2) with the win.

Palomar will play San Diego City College -- which is in a four-way battle for first place with the Comets, Cuyamaca, San Diego Mesa -- on Monday in San Diego. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m.

The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday in a rain make-up.

It was postponed due to a wet field after the field took on too much water in rains the previous day.

Heavily-recruited Topete is PCAC Athlete of Week

SAN DIEGO (10-19-10) -- The Pacific Coast Athletic Conference has selected Palomar sophomore forward Johnny Topete, its soccer Player of the Year last season, as its Men's Athlete of the Week for all sports.

Topete, who is currently second in the state in goals (16) and points (38), is coming off a week which saw him lead the defending conference champions and current PCAC co-leaders to a crucial 3-2 win over Southwestern with two goals and an assist, and to a 2-1 victory over San Diego Mesa with an assist.

His unassisted goal in the 82nd minute broke a late 2-2 tie against Southwestern.

Topete, a former CIF San Diego Section Player of the Year at Orange Glen High School, is being heavily recruited by some of the nation's top soccer powers, including NCAA Division I No. 5-ranked University of Connecticut and No. 8-ranked UC Irvine.

UConn, which was ranked second in the nation before a 1-0 upset loss to currently fourth-ranked Maryland, has had success with Palomar athletes in recent years -- including football quarterback Tyler Lorenzen and baseball outfielder Gordon Stevens.

FILE PHOTO: by Deb Hellman

Topete's 2nd goal ties game; PC in tie for 1st

IMPERIAL (10-19-10) -- Johnny Topete scored both Palomar's goals in the second half on Tuesday as the visiting Comets battled back from a 2-0 halftime deficit to tie Imperial Valley 2-2 in the wind and rain.

Palomar trailed 2-1 when Topete pulled the Comets even in the 88th minute.

The deadlock moves the Comets (8-4-3, 4-1-1) into a tie for first place with San Diego City College in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference, both with 13 points. The Knights' scheduled game with San Diego Mesa on Tuesday was postponed by rain.

One of Topete's goals was unassisted. Edgar Aguilar (above right) assisted on the other one. Hector Prado recorded eight saves in goal against the Arabs.

Topete moved to within one point of state scoring leader Rosario Bross of Allan Hancock with his two goals. Bross now has 39 points, Topete 38.

Comets get 2 goals from Duarte, win another

SAN DIEGO (10-15-10) -- Gabriel Da Silva Duarte (left) scored two goals on Friday night as Palomar stayed hot on first-place San Diego City College's trail in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference with a 2-1 victory over former conference leader San Diego Mesa at the Olympians' Merril Douglas Stadium.

Johnny Topete had an assist for the Comets (8-4-2, 4-1). Goalkeeper Hector Prado recorded seven assists.

Palomar, which led 4-0 at the half, has won four straight games and is 8-2-1 in its last 11 games.

Topete dominates as Comets down Jaguars

SAN MARCOS (10-12-10) -- Johnny Topete, the returning Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year who is being recruited among others by NCAA Division I No. 5-ranked University of Connecticut, led Palomar to a 3-2 men's soccer victory over Southwestern on Tuesday at Minkoff Field.

Topete, right, dominated with two goals and an assist. He gave the Comets (7-4-2, 3-1) a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute on a free kick, then made a spectacular assist on Gabriel DaSilva Duarte's goal that broke a tie in the 26th minute.

After Southwestern tied the game 2-2, Topete dribbled 30 yards through a crowd to win the game with an unassisted goal in the 83rd minute.

Hector Prado had five saves against the Jaguars (7-3-2, 2-2).

ABOVE: Palomar's J.C. Orozco celebrates his second goal in Friday's 5-1 rout of rival MiraCosta The Spartans' goalkeeper is prone on the grass in the background. -- BELOW: Orozco's teammate Johnny Topete, the returning conference Player of the Year, controls the ball as the Spartans' goalkeeper tumbles to the turf again. -- Photos by Deb Hellman

Comets rock MiraCosta, are 1 pt. off PCAC lead

OCEANSIDE (10-9-10) -- J.C. Orozco led the way with two goals and an assist on Friday as defending Pacific Coast Athletic Conference men's soccer champion Palomar swatted aside Highway 76 rival MiraCosta in a 5-1 rout on the road.

Johnny Topete, Joseph Santos and Joshua Gardeto also scored goals for the Comets (6-4-1, 2-1), who led 2-1 at halftime.

Goalkeeper Hector Prado recorded three saves.

Palomar moved to within one point of San Diego City College and San Diego Mesa three games into the conference race. City College was held to a 1-1 tie by Cuyamaca on Friday. Mesa, which awas held to a tie by the Coyotes last week, had a bye..

The Spartans fell to 1-7-1, 1-4 in conference.

Prado, PC teammates shut out Cuyamaca 1-0

EL CAJON (10-5-10) -- Goalkeeper Hector Prado's five-save shutout helped propel Palomar to a 1-0 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference decision over host Cuyamaca on Tuesday afternoon.

One of Prado's saves came on a penalty kick.

Edgar Aguilar (left) scored the game's only goal in the second half off an assist from Gabriel Da Silva Duarte (right).

The two teams were tied up 0-0 at the half.

Palomar, the defending PCAC champion, advances to 5-4-1 on the season, 1-1 in conference action.

Comets drop tough one in early PCC showdown

SAN MARCOS (10-1-10) -- Palomar's defending champions dropped a 2-1 heartbreaker to San Diego City College on Friday at Minkoff Field in an early match-up of the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference's two premier teams.

It was the PCAC opener for the Comets. City advanced to 7-1-1, 2-0 in conference while Palomar, which faced one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the state in the pre-season, is 4-4-2, 0-1.

Gabriel DaSilva Duarte (right) scored the Comets' goal in the second half off Johnny Topete's assist.

Goalkeeper Hector Prado had seven saves for Palomar.

PHOTO: Palomar's Angel Carranza heads the ball during Friday's game. -- Photo by Hugh Cox:

Topete's second goal leaves Comets fit to be tied

SAN MARCOS (9-28-10) -- Returning Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year Johnny Topete's (left) second goal of the game, in the 80th minute, gave Palomar a 2-2 men's soccer tie with San Bernardino Valley on Tuesday at Minkoff Field.

Walker Poortinga assisted on both of Topete's goals. Goalkeeper Hector Prado recorded seven saves.

Palomar, the defending PCAC cham;pion, is 4-3-2 entering Friday's conference opener against San Diego City College, the other top contender for the 2010 title, at Minkoff Field at 3:15 p.m.

Comets see 4-game win streak halted on road

SANTA ANA (9-24-10) -- Palomar saw its four-game men's soccer win streak come up an end when the Comets dropped a 3-1 non-conference decision on Friday to host Santa Ana.

Johnny Topete (right) pulled the Comets, trailing 2-1, to within one goal in the 63rd minute when he ran past the Dons' defense and snuck a shot past goalkeeper Jerred Stith, who was charging him on the play.

Palomar outshot Santa Ana 6-1 in the first half but trailed at intermission 1-0.

The Comets dropped to 4-3-1. Santa Ana is 4-2-1.

1st shutout for Prado; PC wins twice in 2 days

COSTA MESA (9-17-10) / SAN MARCOS (9-18-10) -- The Palomar men's soccer team blanked host Orange Coast 2-0 in a non-conference game on Friday afternoon as goalkeeper Hector Prado recorded three saves and notched his first shutout.

The Comets came right back Saturday to beat Rio Hondo 2-1 at home at Minkoff Field for their fourth straight victory.

Against Orange Coast, Angel Carranzo and Joseph Santos scored goals for the Comets.

Gabriel DaSilva Duarte (above) and Johnny Topete each contributed an assist.

Against Rio Hondo, Nolan Williams and Mario Collazo tallied goals. Jesse Grajeda had two assists. Prado recorded seven more saves in goal.

Topete (2 goals, assist) leads Comets to win

SAN MARCOS (9-14-10) -- Johnny Topete (left), the 2009 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year and former CIF-San Diego Section Player of the Year at Orange Glen High, led Palomar to a 4-2 non-conference men's soccer victory over Victor Valley on Tuesday evening at Minkoff Field

Topete.scored two goals and added an assist as the Comets advanced to 2-2-1.

Edgar Aguilar (right) had a goal and an assist. Angel Carranza added a goal. Hector Prado contributed five saves in goal.

The visiting Rams, who upset the Comets a year ago in Victorville, are 3-4-1.

Comets down Riverside Community College

SAN MARCOS (9-10-10) -- Edgar Aguilar (left), Johnny Topete and Gabriel Da Silva Duarte scored goals for the Palomar on Friday as the Comets turned back Riverside Community College 3-2 in a non-conference game at Minkoff Field.

Erik Torres and Topete added assists.

Goalkeeper Hector Prado had seven saves, one on a penalty kick.

With the victory over the Tigers from the Orange Empire Conference,, Palomar advanced to 1-2-1 on the season.

2010 PCAC Player of the Year Johnny Topete scores his third goal to pull Palomar even with Mt. SAC 3-3 on Thursday at Minkoff Field, gets tangled up with the Mounties' goalkeeper ,then celebrates the goal. . SAC advanced to 5-0 by scoring the final to goals to beat the Comets 5-3. -- Photos by Hugh Cox

Topete gets hat trick but powerful Mt. SAC wins

SAN MARCOS (9-10-10) -- Johnny Topete's hat trick wasn't enough as the Palomar dropped a 5-3 non-conference decision to powerhouse Mt. SAC on Thursday at Minkoff Field.

Topete, the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year last season as a freshman, tied the game with his second and third goals before Mt. SAC drew away to win.

Angel Carranza and Edgar Aguilar had assists for the Comets.

Mt. SAC advanced to 5-0.

Palomar, the defending PCAC champion which is playing one of the toughest non-conference schedules of any community college in California, is 0-2-1.

ABOVE: Palomar's Joseph Santos is fouled by Compton defender at right as he tries to control the ball against the Tartars on Wednesday. Santos scored the Comets' first goal. -- Photo by Hugh Cox. BELOW: Edgar Aguilar, who tallied Palomar's second goal.

Own goals hurt Palomar in late loss to Compton

SAN MARCOS (9-1-10) -- The Comets, leading by a goal, dropped a non-conference 3-2 decision to the Tartars at Minkoff field on two late goals.

Palomar (0-1-1) took a 2-1 halftime lead on goals by Joseph Santos in the 27th minute and Edgar Aguilar in the 41st minute, sandwiched around a Compton goal in the 40th minute.

The Tartars (1-0 tied the game in the 8th minute and won it in the 80th minute.

Two of Compton's scores came on own goals by the Comets.

Johnny Topete tallies go-ahead goal for Palomar. Long Beach came back minutes later to tie the game. -- Photo by Hugh Cox.

Comets, Vikings battle to tie in season opener

SAN MARCOS (8-27-10) -- Coach Carlos Hernandez' defending Pacific Coast Athletic Conference men's soccer champions and visiting Long Beach battled to a 2-2 non-conference tie in a season opener on Friday at Minkoff Field.

Johnny Topete, the 2009 PCAC Player of the Year, gave the Comets a 2-1 lead in the 63rd minute when he drilled in a 30-yard free kick. But the Vikings tied the game in the 68th minute.

Palomar jumped out to a 1-0 halftime lead on Angel Carranza's goal off Edgar Aguilar's assist. Long Beach tied it up in the 47th minute.

Joseph Santos, a freshman midfielder from La Costa Canyon High School, turned in a dominating performance for the Comets.

Palomar will kick off 2010 season on Aug. 27

SAN MARCOS (8-18-10) -- Palomar will open its 2010 men's soccer season on Friday, Aug. 27, at home against Long Beach City College.

The defending Pacific Coast Conference Athletic Conference Comets and Vikings will clash at Palomar's Minkoff Field on campus at 2 p.m.

Coach Carlos Hernandez' Comets also will host Compton, defending state champion Mt. SAC, Riverside Community College and Victor Valley in its next four games before finally playing a road game.

The Comets' first PCAC game will be Oct. 1 vs. San Diego City College at Minkoff Field, beginning at 3:15 p.m.

2009 season

Defending state champ Falcons eliminate PC 2-1

NORWALK (11-21-09) -- No. 3 seed and defending state champion Cerritos eliminated Palomar from the Southern California men's soccer playoffs on Saturday morning, scoring in the 51st minute to break a tie and beat the Comets 2-1.

The Falcons (18-2-2) took a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute. The Comets' Erik Torres (left) tied the game in the 37th minute.

Goalkeeper Christian Negrete (right) recorded 10 saves for Palomar (11-7-2), the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference champion.

Topete, Hernandez named; PC draws Cerritos

SAN DIEGO / FULLERTON (11-17-09) -- Palomar's Johnny Topete (left) has been named Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year in men's soccer and the Comets' Carlos Hernandez, who guided Palomar to the PCAC championship, has been selected as Coach of the Year. Gabriel daSilva Duarte, Ceasar Pacheco and goalkeeper Christian Negrete were named first team.

In the seeding meeting at Fullerton, the Comets (11-6-2) were seeded 14th in the Southern California playoffs and will open the postseason at defending state champion and No. 3 seed Cerritos (17-2-2) on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Comets win undisputed conference crown

IMPERIAL (11-11-09) -- Palomar clinched the undisputed Pacific Coast Athletic Conference men's soccer championship on Wednesday, winning 6-3 at Imperial Valley while second-place San Diego City College was held to a 0-0 tie by San Diego Mesa.

Johnny Topete (left) and Gabriel DaSilva Duarte (right) each contributed two goals and an assist for the Comets, who end the regular season 11-6-2 on the season, 9-1-2 in conference. Ceasar Pacheco had a goal and an assist. Eric Torres tallied the other goal, while Javier Martinez had two assists, Edgar Aguilar one. Palomar has 29 points while City (7-0-4), which has one game left, has 25.

Palomar defeats Mesa, keeps PCAC run going

CHULA VISTA (11-6-09) -- Palomar, in first place in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference in men's soccer, ran its conference unbeaten streak to 10 games on Friday, defeating San Diego Mesa 2-1 at Minkoff Field.

Gabriel DeSilva Duarte (left) scored a first-half goal and Edgar Aguilar (right) tallied a second-half goal for the Comets, who are 8-0-2 in the PCAC in October and November.

Johnny Topete and Cesar Pacheco had assists. The Comets are 10-6-2 overall, 8-1-2 in the conference.

Topete's hat trick brings PC back 3-goal deficit

CHULA VISTA (11-5-09) -- Pacific Coast Athletic Conference leader Palomar, trailing 3-0 at halftime, rallied to beat host Southwestern 4-3 on Wednesday on a hat trick by Johnny Topete (left).

Edgar Aguilar (right) contributed three assists for the Comets (9-6-2, 7-1-2), who remain two points ahead of San Diego City College, a 3-1 winner over MiraCosta, in the PCAC standings.

Javier Martinez tallied the other Palomar goal. Goalkeeper Christian Negrete had eight saves.

Comets' Gabriel DaSilva Duarte named by PCAC

SAN DIEGO (11-03-09) -- Gabriel DaSilva Duarte, who has helped lead the way for Palomar's first-place men's soccer team this season, shares Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Men's Athlete of the Week honors.

Duarte (left) shares the honor with Southwestern football receiver George Bell.

Duarte, a freshman from Brazil, scored three goals last week as coach Carlos Hernandez' Comets won twice, defeating Cuyamaca 2-0 and beat MiraCosta 4-1.

He tallied both of the Comets' goals against the Coyotes and one goal vs. the Spartans.

Palomar unbeaten streak ends; Topete scores 2

VICTORVILLE (11-03-09) -- Johnny Topete (right) stayed red-hot for the Comets in a 4-3 non-conference loss to Victor Valley on Wednesday on the road.

Topete scored two goals for the Comets. Gabriel DaSilva Duarte had a goal and an assist. Edgar Aguilar and Cesar Pacheco contributed one assist each.

Goalkeeper Christian Negrete contributed five saves.

Palomar dropped to 8--6-2 on the season. and saw its eight-game unbeaten streak go by the boards. The Comets had gone 6-0-2 in October.

ABOVE: Javier Martinez maneuvers between two MiraCosta defenders to score Palomar's third goal on Friday. -- Photo by Hugh Cox. LOWER LEFT: Uli Von Son, who scored the Comets' first goal to break a scoreless tie at the half. LOWER RIGHT: Goalkeeper Christian Negrete, who had five saves as he shut out the Spartans.

Comets top rival MiraCosta by 3 goals again

SAN MARCOS (10-30-09) -- Palomar's Pacific Coast Athletic Conference men's soccer leaders downed Highway 78 rival MiraCosta for the second time by a three-goal margin on Friday, winning 3-0 at Minkoff Field.

The Comets (8-5-2, 6-1-2) broke a scoreless halftime tie on goals by Uli Von Son (unassisted), pictured on above left, Javier Martinez (assisted by Marco Gomez) and Gabriel DaSilva Duarte (assisted by Richard Gil).

Palomar goalkeeper Christian Negrete, above right, recorded five saves in shutting out the Spartans (2-13-2, 0-7-2).The Comets, who beat the Spartans 4-1 on Oct. 7 at MiraCosta, ran their unbeaten streak to eight. They're 6-0-2 since dropping their conference opener to San Diego City College back on Sept. 30.

Palomar back in first place following shutout

EL CAJON (10-28-09) -- Palomar is back alone atop the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference men's soccer standings after defeating host Cuyamaca 2-0 on Wednesday.

Gabriel DaSilva Duarte (left) scored both coals for coach Carlos Hernandez' Comets. Duarte's first goal came off Javier Martinez' assist and put Palomar on top 1-0 at halftime. His second goal came in the second half off Cesar Pacheco's (above right) assist.

Christian Negrete had a shutout in goal for the Comets.

The Comets moved to 7-5-2 on the season, 5-1-2 in the conference. They passed idle San Diego City College, which was in first place by one point. Palomar has 17 points, the Knights 15.

The victory ran Palomar's unbeaten streak to seven games. The Comets are 5-0-2 during that span.

Johnny Topete breaks away to score Palomar's goal in a 1-1 tie with San Diego City College on Friday. -- Photo by Hugh Cox

Top 2 PCAC teams tie; Comets trail by 1 point

SAN MARCOS (10-23-09) -- Palomar and San Diego City College, the top two teams in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conf. men's soccer standings, battled to a 1-1 tie on Friday at Minkoff Field.

With Palomar down 1-0, Johnny Topete scored on a penalty kick in the final five minutes to tie the game.

The Knights, who edged past the Comets in the teams' battle for first place by beating Imperial Valley 1-0 on Wednesday when Palomar had a bye, remain one point ahead of the Comets. City is 7-3-5 overall and 4-0-3 in conference. Palomar is 6-5-2 and 4-1-2.

First-place Comets' Topete is Athlete of Week

SAN DIEGO (10-19-09) -- Palomar soccer player Johnny Topete, who has played a huge role in what so far is a first-place run by the Comets, has been selected Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Men's Athlete of the Week for all sports.

Topete is a freshman from Orange Glen High School.

Topete, the CIF-San Diego Section Player of the Year in 2007 when he led the Patriots to the section Division II championship, scored three goals last week. He tallied two unassisted goals in a 2-2 tie with San Diego Mesa and added a goal in a 3-0 victory over Imperial Valley.

1st-place Comets down Arabs 3-0 at Minkoff

SAN MARCOS (10-16-09) -- Palomar remained in first place in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference in men's soccer on Friday, defeating Imperial Valley 3-0 at Minkoff Field.

Gabriel DaSilva Duarte (left), Johnny Topete and Edgar Aguilar (right) scored goals for the Comets (6-5-1, 4-1-1).

Cesar Pacheco added an assist.

Palomar will host second-place San Diego City College as the Comets try to avenge their lone conference loss on Friday at 1 p.m. at Minkoff Field.

Topete scores pair of goals; Palomar still in 1st

SAN DIEGO (10-14-09) -- Johnny Topete (left) scored two unassisted goals under the lights on Wednesday night as Palomar tied San Diego Mesa 2-2 to remain in first place in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference in men's soccer.

Both of Topete's goals came on free kicks, the second one in the 87th minute to tie the game.

Coach Carlos Hernandez' Comets are 3-1-1 in PCAC play and have 10 points to lead the conference. San Diego City College and Southwestern tied 3-3 on Wednesday afternoon and remain deadlocked for second place, with eight points.

The men's soccer victory at Mesa's newly-renovated Merrill Douglas Stadium completed an unbeaten, 4-0-1 day and evening for Palomar that also included wins in women's soccer, women's volleyball, men's water polo and women's water polo. The Palomar women's golf team, heavily favored in a scheduled Foothill Conference five-way match in Long Beach, was rained out.

Comets blank Southwestern in 2-0 match-up

SAN MARCOS (10-9-09) -- Gabriel DaSilva Duarte and Uli Von Son (left) scored goals on Friday as Palomar notched a 2-0 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference victory over Southwestern at Minkoff Field.

Edgar Aguilar (right) assisted on both goals.

The Comets are 5-5 on the season, 3-1 in the PCAC.

The win was the third straight for coach Carlos Hernandez' Palomar side.

Topete scores 2 goals; Comets hammer rivals

OCEANSIDE (10-7-09) -- Johnnie Topete (left) scored two goals on Wednesday afternoon as Palomar's men's soccer squad hammered Highway 78 rival MiraCosta 4-1 in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference game that was moved from Minkoff Field due to a scheduling mix-up.

Topete scored the first goal for the Comets (4-5, 2-1) on a penalty kick.

Cesar Pacheco (right) scored the second goal on an Edgar Aguilar assist. Pacheco assisted on Topete's second goal. Achilles Schmelzer added Goal No. 4 on Eric Torres' assist.

MiraCosta is 2-9, 0-3.

Duarte scores two goals; PCC is 1-1 in PCAC

SAN MARCOS (10-2-09) -- Gabriel DaSilva Duarte (left) scored two goals on Friday as Palomar defeated Cuyamaca 3-1 at Minkoff Field to even its Pacific Coast Athletic Conference record at 1-1.

Johnnie Topete (right) and Jose Velasquez assisted on DaSilva's goals.

Uli VonSon scored the Comets' other goal off Edgar Aguilar's assist.

Palomar is 3-5 overall.

Palomar evens record at 2-2 with 1-0 victory

SAN MARCOS (9-12-09) -- Palomar's men's soccer squad defeated Compton 1-0 on Tuesday afternoon at Minkoff Field, evening its 2009 record at 2-2 in the process.

Cesar Pacheco (left) scored the Comets' goal off an assist from Johnnie Topete (right).

Palomar evened its record at 2-2 in the non-conference match-up.

The Comets will host Santa Ana on Friday at 4 p.m. and Rio Hondo on Monday at the same time, before opening Pacific Coast Athletic Conference play next Wednesday at San Diego City College at 1 p.m.

Johnnie Topete scores Palomar's first goal of the game in 3-2 victory over College of the Desert,. -- Photo by Hugh Cox

Pacheco gets three assists as Comets win 3-2

SAN MARCOS (9-17-09) -- Palomar's men's soccer team held off visiting College of the Desert 3-2 in a non-conference match-up on Wednesday afternoon at Minkoff Field.

Cesar Pacheco came up big for the Comets (1-2), assisting on goals by Johnnie Topete, Achilles Smelchser and Gabriel DaSilva Duarte.

Pirates break scoreless tie to turn back Comets

SAN MARCOS (9-4-09) -- Visiting Orange Coast College broke up a scoreless defensive duel with two second half goals to ruin Palomar's season opener 2-0 on Friday afternoon at Minkoff Field.

The Pirates scored in the game's 50th minute on a Derek Woody goal, then added a second goal by Will Munoz in the 82nd minute.

The loss in the men's game, coupled with Riverside Community College's 3-1 victory over the Palomar women (see above) put a damper on ceremonies prior to the double-hdeader that dedicated the Minkoff Field facility.

PHOTO: The Comets battled Orange Coast to a 0-0 standoff for most of the afternoon.-- Photo by Hugh Cox

Palomar will try to bounce back after tough year

SAN MARCOS (9-1-09) -- After back-to-back second-place finishes, Palomar's men's soccer team fell on hard times a year ago, going 4-14-5 overall and finishing fifth in what was then called the Pacific Coast Conference, going 2-6-4.

Coach Carlos Hernandez (left) has high hopes for better things during the upcoming 2009 season with what will be a new-look Palomar team.

The Comets will open the season on Friday, Sept. 4, in Minkoff Field, when they host Orange Coast College at Minkoff Field.

Friday's double-header (Palomar's women will host Riverside Community College at 1 p.m.) will be preceded at noon by ceremonies dedicating Minkoff Field, which opened in the late Fall of 2006 after a substantial donation by Dr. Peter Minkoff. The field is named in honor of Dr. Minkoff's father, Alvin P. Minkoff.

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Minkoff Field's dedication scheduled Friday

SAN MARCOS (9-3-09) -- Palomar's artificial-surface Minkoff Field soccer facility will be dedicated Friday at noon, prior to a doubleheader featuring the Comets' women's and men's teams.

Minkoff Field opened for play in the late Fall of 2006 after a substantial donation by Dr. Peter Minkoff. The field is named in honor of Dr. Minkoff's father, Alvin P. Minkoff.

The facility, at the northeast end of campus, is shared with the City of San Marcos.

Palomar's women's team will play Riverside Community College at 1 p.m. The Comets' men's team will open its season against Orange Coast at 4 p.m.

2008 season

ABOVE: Jorge Calderon. LOWER LEFT: Cesar Pacheco. LOWER RIGHT: Andres Robles. -- (Photos by Rick Rowell) ORDER PHOTOS (password: cometball)

2008 season

Comets win 4-3, halt Riverside's win streak at 5

SAN MARCOS (9-19-11) -- The Palomar men's soccer team ended Riverside Community College season-opening win streak at five games on Friday, beating the Tigers 4-3 in a non-conference game at Minkoff Field.

Jorge Calderon scored a goal on Ricardo Calleja's assist, Jorge Calderon tallied an unassisted goal and Cesar Pacheco scored on a free kick off Pacheco's assist for the Comets.

Coach Carlos Hernandez said he hopes Palomar's tough early-season schedule is beginning to pay off for his freshman-dominated team as the Pacific Coast Conference season approaches. The Comets are 2-7.

PHOTO: Andres Robles (10 scores on a header in upset victory over Riverside Community College. -- (Photo by Hugh Cox)

ABOVE: Palomar's Tyler Bernetskie watches ball in Harbor game. -- (Photo by Rick Rowell). BELOW: Bernetskie heads the ball. -- (Photo by Hugh Cox)

Seahawks win in 4-2 non-conference match-up

SAN MARCOS (9-9-11) -- Palomar's men's soccer squad continues its steady improvement, but it wasn't enough to beat visiting Los Angeles Harbor on Wednesday.

The Seahawks took home a 4-2 non-conference decision at Minkoff Field.

Zack Bass scored Palomar's first goal in the 50th minute, unassisted.

Jorge Calderon added the Comets' second goal in the 80th minute off a Ricardo Calleja assist.

Palomar, which defeated Rio Hondo on penalty kicks for its first victory last Friday, is 1-5 overall.

Comets try to move up after 2 runner-up finishes

SAN MARCOS (8-31-08) -- Coach Carlos Hernandez' (left) Palomar men's soccer squad lost much of its 2007 firepower with the departure of a stellar group of sophomores led by Pacific Coast Conference Co-Player of the Year Steve Bryson.

But Hernandez has high hopes of successfully re-building in 2008, once his team, which is largely inexperienced on the community college level, begins to mature.

The Comets dropped their first two games to Long Beach City College and Orange Coast playing short-handed due to an eligibility paper-work delay.

Palomar is coming off back-to-back second-place finishes in the conference.

2007 season

Pacific Coast Conference Player of the Year Steve Bryson controls the ball amidst a crowd of San Diego City College players. (Photo by Hugh Cox)

Bryson selected as co-Player of Year in the PCC

SAN MARCOS (11-14-07) -- Palomar sophomore midfielder Steve Bryson has been selected as Pacific Coast Conference Co-Player of the Year in men's soccer, and the Comets received an at-large berth in the Southern California Regionals.

Bryson was joined on the All-PCC first team by Palomar teammates sophomore midfielder aSalle Durio, sophomore midfielder Paco Felix and freshman defender Brian Bernetskie.

Palomar (13-6-5) knocked off Rio Hondo (20-2-2) in the first round, then tied lost to Irvine Valley on penalty kicks in the second round in a game that was tied 1-1.

The Comets finished the conference season in second place with a 7-2-1 record.

2006 season

Comets finish alone in second place in the PCC

Coach Carlos Hernandez' Palomar College men's soccer squad finished alone in second place in the Pacific Coast Conference for the second year in a row, in 2006, going 1-1 the final week of the regular season.

On Tuesday, Nov. 7, the Comets turned back San Diego Mesa 2-0 at home. Valentin Diaz and Paco Felix (right) each had a goal and an assist, while goalkeeper Julio Ruiz notched the shutout with four saves.

On Friday, Nov. 10, the Comets dropped a 1-0 decision to Southwestern on the road. Ruiz recorded eight saves.

The Comets finished 11-8-3 for the season, 6-3-1 in the conference.

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-- -- Marco Gomez