Irvine Valley's men's soccer team responded from three tough matches to start the season with a decisive 4-0 nonconference victory over El Camino at home on Tuesday afternoon.
IVC got two goals from freshman Benjamin Asabi and one each from sophomore forward Grant Joyce and sophomore midfielder Daniel Segal in the win.
The Lasers had started 2018 with three straight losses, falling at Rio Hondo, 2-0, last Tuesday and then dropping back-to-back matches in the always tough Hartnell Tournament.
IVC fell to host Hartnell, 3-2, last Friday and then lost to Cerritos, 6-1, on Sunday.
Rio Hondo, Hartnell and Cerritos are expected to be among the top teams in the state this season. Cerritos was even ranked No. 3 in the nation in the preseason United Coaches Poll.
Irvine Valley coach Martin McGrogan said his squad played well at times in the opening three contests and had their opportunities against both Rio Hondo and Hartnell.
And expects his squad to continue to improve as the year goes on.
If Tuesday was any indication, then the Lasers are on their way.
Irvine Valley scored two goals in each half and had chances for several others.
Asabi put the Lasers on the board in the 25th minute. He took a nice cross from Segal into the box and then one-touched a shot that hit off the charging El Camino keeper and found the back of the net.
It was 2-0 Irvine Valley in the 37th minute. This time Asabi crossed the ball to freshman midfielder Gibae Kim. Kim hit a shot that was saved by El Camino goalie Brandon Cardenas, the ball rolled back to Kim. He shot again and it was deflected, but right to Segal who smashed a one-time shot into the goal.
Irvine Valley was on the attack from the start in the second half. Sophomore midfielders Julian Anaya and Alexis Campos each created chances. And Segal had a look at a partially open net on a break midway through the second half.
Irvine Valley put the contest away in the 75th minute. The El Camino defense couldn't clear the ball and Joyce was there to take advantage. He controlled the ball and then lifted a shot over the top of Cardenas' head from near the top of the box.
Asabi closed out the Irvine Valley scoring with two minutes left. Freshman midfielder Joshue Gallardo chipped in a ball to Asabi on a counter. Asabi's first shot banged off the crossbar so he followed it up and headed the ball home to put a finishing touch on the game.
IVC also got a couple of fine stops in goal by freshman keeper Nathan King in the contest, including two on free kicks and then another later in the second half when he made a diving one handed save on a header.
King finished with seven saves in the contest.
Irvine Valley will play again on Wednesday, traveling to the San Diego area to take on Southwestern at 3 p.m.
