Irvine Valley's women's soccer team captured its final home match of the season and secured its 11th win of the year with a 1-0 victory over Santa Ana in an Orange Empire Conference contest at home on Tuesday.
Irvine Valley improved its record to 11-6-2 overall and 8-6-1 in conference. The win snapped a three-match skid for IVC. Santa Ana, which was coming off its best week of the season with a win and a tie, slipped to 3-15-3 overall and 1-12-3 in conference.
"We really wanted to win our last home game of the year," IVC Coach Joe Supe said. "The girls did a fantastic job. I was really pleased to see such a good effort.
"I think for the most part, we kept possession and moved the ball. That is the kind of style that we want."
IVC had the better of the chances in the first half. Sophomore forward Yasmin Hart and freshman midfielder Shantel Romero each created solid opportunities to score.
Irvine Valley scored the lone goal of the match midway through the second half.
In the 64th minute, Hart scored one of the team's best goals of the season.
Near the top of the box on the left side, she made a nice turn and cut the ball back to her right foot and then blasted a shot from around 20 yards out into the upper right corner of the goal.
"She did the work and it was just a tremendous goal," Supe said.
Ten minutes later, Santa Ana came storming back with lots of pressure. The Dons hit the post with one shot and then Kristina Alatorre was just wide right on another shot. Brianna Cruz also sent a free kick into the box that IVC freshman goalie Shannon Duffy knocked away.
The defensive line of freshmen Celina Chang, Amanda George and Emily Portillo and sophomore Madisen Hammonds was able to hold on and help secure the win for the Lasers.
"They were coming on strong and there were some scary moments," Supe said. "But we re-organized a little bit and I like the way the girls got it together and held on."
Duffy made five saves in goal for Irvine Valley, while Katie Delgado made eight saves for Santa Ana.
Irvine Valley will finish the regular season on Friday at Orange Coast. Match time is at 3 p.m.