SAN MARCOS - Andres “Argi” Robles pulled the bottom of his soccer jersey into his mouth. Robles decided to gnaw on some cloth before throwing his head back to stare at the sky Wednesday.

The Palomar College freshman had just missed capping off a scoring opportunity for the men's soccer team in a 1-0 Pacific Coast Conference loss to visiting San Diego City College.

Robles' body language depicted what has been the Comets' season. Failure to capitalize on chances and relying on their defense to keep matches within reach has haunted the Comets (3-10-3, 1-2-3).

Against the Knights (3-9-1, 2-1), it was more of the same.

Another loss equaled more frustration.

”I really don't want to talk right now,” said Robles when asked to talk about sending a Cesar Pacheco centered-pass high and wide right of the Knights' goal 11 minutes into the match. “If you want, you can get Ricardo Calleja. He's always the guy to talk to, but thank you very much.”

Robles, whose nickname is short for the name of his home country Argentina, was referring to Palomar's sweeper and team captain.

Calleja is mostly responsible for keeping the Comets' defense glued. The backline has given Palomar chances to win this season, and the defense usually remains stiff early. It often begins to bend as time progresses, and more often than not, it eventually breaks.

It doesn't help the Comets' attackers haven't been able to produce goals. ”When we can't finish the opportunities that we have early in the game it just comes back in the end,” said Calleja, a sophomore. “For the defense, we're trying really hard in the back not to get scored (on). It's frustrating, our forwards not being able to score for us.”

The Comets have been outscored 36-12 this season, and the lack of a productive attack is part of the problem. But failing to capitalize on clear chances and having a fatigued defense has been the common denominator.

”It's like having the defense on the field for a long time after three-and-outs by the offense in football,” Comets coach Carlos Hernandez said.

He can't figure out a solution.

”It's been a frustrating season. It's crazy,” Hernandez said. “We don't have the leadership to win at this level. Bottom line is, it doesn't matter if I believe if they can get it done. They have to believe.”

At the same time, Hernandez thinks his strikers need to “not be afraid to pull the trigger and just let it go.”

Palomar attackers had several chances to take shots in open space against a struggling Knights team but often held back. San Diego Mesa has been out-scored 29-16 this season.

”These guys (the Knights) were taking some wild and crazy shots, but you know what, at least they were taking shots,” Hernandez said.The Knights out-shot the Comets in the second half, 3-0. That included a right-footed blast by Leonardo Perez in the 72nd minute from about 25 yards out. His shot sailed past the reach of Palomar goalkeeper Ramon Gonzales into the left side of the net for the game's only score.

It was a miscue in the backline that led to the San Diego City goal. Oscar Cabrera, the Comets' right back, tried to clear a ball in the back but instead it ricocheted off a defender.

Perez brought down the ball in open space and sent off the shot.

A defensive error may have cost Palomar the match, but the defense has bailed the team out in the past. The defense was responsible for two of the Comets' three goals in a draw against Southwestern College on Oct. 8.

Hernandez and the Comets have seven games to figure out a solution. The Comets enter the second leg of conference play this week, beginning with a home match against Cuyamaca on Friday.

”It's disappointing, but I got to do a better job,” Hernandez said. “It's frustrating, because I can't seem to motivate (the players). They do a good job. They work hard. They're just not making it happen. We haven't done anything different than in the last 16 years.”

In 16 years under Hernandez, missing the postseason is not common at Palomar. ”Only once have we not made the playoffs in that time,” Hernandez said. That was 2002. If it happens again, it could prompt players to chew on some more jerseys.