Women's soccer team celebrates special 2014 at banquet

Women's soccer team celebrates special 2014 at banquet

Irvine Valley freshman midfielder Berenice Pacheco was named the women's soccer team's most valuable player at the team banquet, which was held last month.

Pacheco was one of four award winners for the Lasers.

Sophomore midfielder Courtney Smith was picked as the squad's offensive player of the year, sophomore defender Emely Portillo earned defensive player of the year honors and freshman midfielder Virginia Hickman was chosen as the coaches' award winner.

The four players were big reasons why Irvine Valley had a season to remember. The Lasers ended with a 12-4-6 record overall, went 9-3-4 in conference for third place and made the Southern California Regional Playoffs for the first time in 20 years.

Pacheco was a valuable player for the Lasers, contributing on offense and also helping to control the midfield.

She finished with two goals and three assists. Her seven points tied for fourth most on the team.

Pacheco had a goal and an assist in Irvine Valley's 4-0 win at Santa Ana on Oct. 28.

Smith also finished with seven points from her midfield spot. She had three goals and one assist on the season.

She had one of the team's best and most important goals of the season, scoring the lone goal in the 75th minute to help the Lasers defeat rival Saddleback, 1-0, at home on Oct. 10.

Portillo, a two-year starter for Irvine Valley, was also named first team all-Orange Empire Conference. She helped the IVC defense give up just 17 goals all season and record 11 shutouts.

Hickman played several different positions for IVC this season, helping in the midfield and on defense when called for.

"She did whatever it took for us to win and never complained once," IVC coach Joe Supe said. "Really, all of the girls did such a tremendous job this year. I am proud of each one of them.

"It was great to celebrate this season."