It didn't look good for the Irvine Valley men's soccer team early in its key Orange Empire Conference match-up at Fullerton on Friday afternoon.
Fullerton, ranked No. 1 in the state in the latest CCCSIA State Poll, scored three goals in the first 12 minutes to take complete control over No. 17 IVC.
But the Lasers rallied, including scoring two goals in the first half and then getting one in the 89th minute to come away with an important 3-3 draw with the Hornets.
The draw took Fullerton's record to 8-1-1 overall and 1-0-1 in conference. IVC went to 5-2-2 overall and 0-0-2 in conference action.
OEC goal leader Misael Gonzalez scored his 10th and 11th goals in the first seven minutes of the game to put Fullerton out in front.
Andin the 11th minute, Neil Sanchez got in on the action with an unassisted goal for the Hornets.
The Lasers put up their first goal near the 30-minute mark on a shot by sophomore midfielder Ivan Lopez. And then with just over a minute left in the first half, Lopez scored again to put IVC back into the contest. The goals were Lopez's fifth and sixth of the season.
The second half was a back-and-forth struggle with both teams playing tough and physical defense.
As the time began to wind down it looked as if the Hornets would hold on for their ninth overall win, but with just over a minute left in regulation, Irvine Valley bumped the ball near the FC goal causing some confusion.
As the ball bounced around, it was lost in the mix of players from both teams.
However, IVC's Grant Miller got his foot on it from eight feet out and booted in the game-tying goal. It was Miller's fifth goal of the year.
Time was called shortly after.
Irvine Valley plays again next Tuesday, taking on Orange Coast on the road at 3 p.m.
