Irvine Valley's men's soccer team battled Golden West to a 1-1 draw to open Orange Empire Conference play at home on Tuesday afternoon.
Irvine Valley wanted the win, but had to settle for its sixth straight match without a loss in the back and forth affair.
The Lasers improved their record to 4-2-5 overall and 0-0-1 in conference action. IVChas four wins and two ties in its last six contests.
Golden West moved to 3-2-4 overall and 0-0-1 in conference.
Irvine Valley came out fast with shots by freshman forward Max Kleinhammes and sophomore forward Benjamin Asabi.
Kleinhammes nearly put the Lasers in front just before the end of the half. He got in behind the Golden West defense, but his shot with the goalie coming out sailed wide to the left.
The teams were went into the halftime break scoreless.
Golden West took the lead in the 48th minute. IVC couldn't clear a ball in the box after a corner kick and Martin Garcia-Sandoval was able to poke the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 Rustler lead.
Irvine Valley tried to answer. A header by freshman defender Giovanni Castagna went over the top of the goal and then a shot by freshman midfielder Dowan Kim was saved by Golden West goalie Adrian Covarrubias.
IVC finally tied the match in the 67th minute. Freshman midfielder Juan Gomez and Castagna each had shots that were blocked. IVC was able to hold the ball in and soon after Kim was taken down in the box for a penalty kick.
Gomez finished the penalty kick with a rocket shot inside the left post to tie the match, 1-1.
Irvine Valley sophomore goalie Nathan King made a save on a shot by Garcia-Sandoval in the 75th minute and the IVC defense was able to clear a loose ball in the box shortly after.
Irvine Valley's best chance to win the contest came in the 84th minute when freshman midfielder Joshua Lummis struck a volley from outside the box. But the ball hit the crossbar and bounced away.
The Lasers will be back in action on Friday when they play at Fullerton at 3 p.m.
