Irvine Valley's men's soccer team didn't pick up a win, but it gained confidence in playing defending state champion Hartnell to a 0-0 draw on Thursday afternoon at home.
It was the second straight positive result for the Lasers, who defeated Moorpark, 3-2, at home on Tuesday.
Irvine Valley improved its record to 1-2-3 on the season, while Hartnell moved to 3-1-1. The tie snapped a three-match win streak for the Panthers, who won the school's first ever CCCAA State Championships title a year ago.
Hartnell defeated Irvine Valley, 3-0, with three second-half goals two weeks ago in the Hartnell's own tournament.
"I thought we did well," Irvine Valley coach Martin McGrogan said of his team's effort on Thursday. "That is a very strong team and we were right there."
Irvine Valley played especially well in the second half.
The Lasers had the better of the chances to score over the final 45 minutes, including a prime opportunity.
On free kick from 25 yards out in the 54th minute, freshman forward Sean Goode fired a shot that hit the left post, bounced off Hartnell goalie Eddie Martinez and then rolled away.
Hartnell's best chance came a few minutes later when Lorenzo Vasquez's flicked a header off a corner kick toward the back post. But IVC freshman defender Baggio Dominguez was there to clear the ball off of the line.
IVC freshman defender Kevin Yep created another IVC chance later in the contest. But his high shot toward goal in the 87th minute was saved by Martinez.
Irvine Valley freshman keeper Elias Licea made three saves in the match.
The Lasers will now get a week-plus off from game action. Irvine Valley plays again on Sept. 24 at 4 p.m. at Rio Hondo.
IVC tied Rio Hondo, 0-0, two weeks ago at the Hartnell Tournament. The Lasers moved on in the tourney after winning on penalty kicks.
