Irvine Valley's women's soccer team dropped its Orange Empire Conference opener at home on Tuesday afternoon, losing to defending conference champion Santiago Canyon, 5-0.
It was IVC's third straight defeat. The Lasers' record slipped to 2-3-0 overall. Santiago Canyon improved to 4-0-1.
It was still a close contest heading into the second half.
Santiago Canyon, which is ranked 17th in the nation in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America junior college poll, held a 1-0 lead at the half after Brooke Mays scored on a breakaway in the 27th minute.
Two quick goals for the Hawks to open the second half put the game out of reach.
Kylie Klein scored on a pass from Mays three minutes into the second half and then a minute later, Alyssa Regalado scored off of another assist from Mays.
Krista Talamo added a goal in the 73rd minute and Alondra Guzman capped Santiago Canyon's scoring in the 87th minute.
Mays finished with a goal and three assists.
She entered the match with seven goals on the season, which was tied for third in the state.
Irvine Valley sophomore goalie Herminia Verduzco played the opening sixty minutes and made four saves. Freshman Alexandra Benedict was in goal for the final 30 minutes and made one save.
Santiago Canyon goalie Natalya Juarez didn't have to make a save in the contest.
Irvine Valley will play again on Friday, hosting Golden West at 2 p.m. The match has been moved from an original start time of 3 p.m. to 2 p.m. as it is part of a doubleheader with the Laser men's squad. IVC's men's team will play Northern California power Hartnell at 4 p.m.
