Men's soccer team clips Fresno City to start Hartnell tourney

Men's soccer team clips Fresno City to start Hartnell tourney

Irvine Valley's men's soccer team earned its first win of the 2017 season and it was a good one.

The Lasers defeated Fresno City, 1-0, in the opening game of the annual Hartnell Tournament.

Irvine Valley and Fresno City were among the top-ranked community college teams in the nation by United Soccer Coaches heading into the season.

Fresno City was ranked No. 4 in the nation, while Irvine Valley came in at No. 14.

Irvine Valley got its goal in the 60th minute from freshman forward Eder Olivas.

Sophomore defender Alfonso Quezada-Osorno won a ball and sent it forward to freshman midfielder Shahdon Shoga.

Shoga played the ball into space for an on-running Olivas, who scored with a shot to the far corner past the charging Fresno City goalie.

Irvine Valley sophomore keeper Ben Chamberlin made six saves on the day, including two nice ones in the first half to keep the match scoreless.

Irvine Valley (1-1-0 overall) will play host Hartnell in the tournament final on Sunday. Hartnell defeated Cerritos in penalty kicks after the match was scoreless through regulation.

Hartnell is another very highly ranked team. The Panthers were ranked No. 10 to start the year by United Soccer Coaches.