Men's soccer team continues to roll in conference play

Courtesy of Elizabeth Elder
Courtesy of Elizabeth Elder

Irvine Valley's men's soccer team scored four goals for the second straight match and came away with another victory, winning at Fullerton on Tuesday afternoon.

It was Irvine Valley's fourth straight win in conference.

Freshman midfielder Jose Rivera had two goals and freshman forward Connor Elder and freshman forward Kendrick Nguyen each scored goals in IVC's victory over the Hornets. Freshman midfielder Jose Gamboa provided two assists.

Irvine Valley has now scored 42 goals this season, including 24 goals in conference.

The Lasers, ranked ninth in the state, stayed in first place in the conference standings with the win and improved its record to 10-2-4 overall and 7-0-2 in conference.

IVC posted three goals in the first half on Tuesday to take control. All three goals came within a seven-minute span.

It started in the 20th minute when Elder found the back of the net off of a pass from Waterman. It was Elder's sixth goal of the season and Waterman's sixth assist.

Rivera then scored off a corner kick from Gamboa in the 25th minute. It was Rivera's 10th goal of the season.

And Gamboa buried a free kick in the 27th minute to put IVC ahead, 3-0.

After Fullerton got a goal from Bryan Pacheco in the 80th minute to pull within 3-1, the Lasers put the game away for good in the 84th minute.

Elder sent a ball through to Nguyen, who beat a defender and then lifted a shot over Fullerton's keeper in the box.

Irvine Valley sophomore goalie Manuel Zamora made eight saves to help IVC record the win.

Irvine Valley, which holds a one match lead over Golden West for first in the conference, hosts Orange Coast on Friday at 3 p.m.