Women's soccer team escapes with win over Norco

Women's soccer team escapes with win over Norco

Irvine Valley's women's soccer team escaped with a 2-1 win over Norco in an Orange Empire Conference match on Tuesday.

The Lasers scored the winning goal three minutes into extra time in the second half to earn the victory.

It was Irvine Valley's third straight win and fourth in its last five contests.

IVC improved its record to 10-3-2 overall and 7-3-1 in conference. Norco fell to 1-12-2 overall and 0-8-2 in conference.

Neither team scored in the first half, but both sides had chances. Norco hit the bar twice with shots and Irvine Valley nearly scored a few minutes into things. Sophomore forward Yasmin Hart hit the crossbar with a shot. The ball fell to sophomore midfielder Wendy Rendon in front of the goal, but her shot sailed over the top.

IVC picked up its play in the second half.

Hart had a shot saved by Norco keeper Deyanira Mooraz in the 72nd minute and Hart followed that up with another shot on goal three minutes later.

Just a minute after that, Hart was taken down in the box which resulted in a penalty kick for IVC.

Freshman forward Tiana Salazar stepped to the spot and converted to give Irvine Valley at 1-0 advantage.

In the 80th minute, Irvine Valley freshman midfielder Kristen Ostler nearly scored, but her lofting shot was tipped away by Mooraz.

Norco tied the match with three minutes left in regulation on a goal by Jenna Hick.

IVC pushed forward the rest of the way. In the 91st minute, a hand ball was called in the box. But Mooraz made a diving save to her left on the PK attempt by Ostler.

The Lasers came through with a goal in the 93rd minute. Hart sent in a cross in on goal from the left side. The ball was headed toward the far post and Mooraz got a hand on it to tap it away, but Salazar was in the right place to finish for the game-winner.

The two goals were Salazar's sixth and seventh of the season. She now leads the Lasers in goals.

Freshman Shannon Duffy ended up with three saves for the Lasers in goal and Mooraz made seven saves for Norco.

Irvine Valley plays again on Friday, hosting Cypress at 3 p.m. in a conference match-up. Cypress defeated IVC, 4-0, the first time the two teams met.