Irvine Valley's men's soccer team trailed for most of its important Orange Empire Conference match against Santa Ana on Friday at home.
But IVC's fortune changed on the simple flick in the final minute of the contest.
Freshman defender Mathew Davis sent a long, lofting pass into the box that freshman forward Eder Olivas headed over Santa Ana goalie Stephen Sanchez's head to give Irvine Valley a 1-1 tie with the Dons.
The tie gave Irvine Valley, which is ranked 13th in the state, a record of 9-4-4 overall and 7-1-3 in conference.
IVC slipped a point behind Golden West in the race for first place in conference. Golden West defeated Santiago Canyon, 3-0, on Friday afternoon to move into first.
Irvine Valley plays at Cypress next Tuesday and then at Golden West next Friday.
Santa Ana remained in third place in the conference standings. The Dons' record moved to 8-3-5 overall and 5-1-4 in conference.
Santa Ana took a 1-0 lead in Friday's match on a nice goal by Matheus Cuhna in the 23rd minute. He took a pass from Noe Alvizo-Chavez and hit a left-footed shot from just outside the box that found the upper right corner of the net.
IVC had the better opportunities in the second half. Freshman midfielder Alexis Campos hit a shot that was saved by Sanchez and then Campos sent a free kick that went just over the top.
Olivas also hit a shot on a free kick that Sanchez had to make a lunging save for in the 64th minute and freshman defender Sergio Montes had his header go just over the top on a corner kick.
Olivas found the back of the net in the final minute to earn the Lasers the point.
Irvine Valley freshman keeper Braden Peters made three saves in the contest with Sanchez stopping four shots.
