Men's soccer team starts conference play with a road victory

Men's soccer team starts conference play with a road victory

Irvine Valley's men's soccer team snapped a three-match winless streak with a 2-1 victory over Santiago Canyon in an Orange Empire Conference opener on Tuesday afternoon at Santiago Canyon.

Irvine Valley picked up its second win of the season and improved its record to 2-3-1 overall.

Santiago Canyon saw its record slip to 0-4-3 overall.

Irvine Valley got on the board first, scoring in the 35th minute on a goal by freshman forward Grant Joyce.

Freshman forward Eder Olivas sent a ball into the box that Joyce hit with his left foot into the upper right corner of the net.

It was Joyce's first goal of the season and Olivas' second assist.

Irvine Valley increased its lead to 2-0 in the 65th minute.

Sophomore forward Toby Waterman beat a defender and then slid a pass to Olivas, who beat the Santiago Canyon keeper with a shot.

It was Olivas' second goal of the season and Waterman's first assist.

Santiago Canyon cut Irvine Valley's lead to 2-1 two minutes later.

But the Lasers were able to hold on behind a strong defensive effort, including getting six saves from freshman goalie Braden Peters.

Irvine Valley has a bye from conference action on Friday, but will still be in action. The Lasers will host Hartnell in a match at 1 p.m.