Women's soccer team plays tough in draw with Saddleback

Women's soccer team plays tough in draw with Saddleback

The Irvine Valley women's soccer team continued its string of solid results with a 0-0 draw against rival Saddleback in an Orange Empire Conference match on Tuesday at home.

The Lasers are unbeaten in their last four contests with two wins and two ties.

Irvine Valley's record went to 2-7-5 overall and 2-2-4 in conference after Tuesday's tie. Saddleback's record moved to 5-4-3 overall and 2-4-2 in conference.

The Lasers head into the second half of conference play on Friday in fifth place in the conference standings - two points ahead of the Gauchos.

Saddleback had its best opportunity to score in the first half.

Collette Halloran sent a bending corner kick with her left foot in from the right side. The ball nearly went in, but was headed out by IVC freshman defender Savanna Hayes.

Irvine Valley's best chances came in the second half.

Nine minutes into the half, freshman defender Angela Hernandez hit a deep shot from 35 yards out that Saddleback keeper Dz-Rae Jara had to tip over the top of the goal.

Laser sophomore forward Brenda Chopin got in behind the defense a few minutes later, but her shot from a tough angle sailed over.

And later, sophomore midfielder Yvette Belman lofted a cross from the right side that carried toward the goal. Jara knocked the ball away and then the Saddleback defense was able to clear it out.

Jara ended up making seven saves in the contest, while IVC freshman keeper Marissa Banos made three saves.

The Lasers start the second half of their conference schedule on Friday at Santiago Canyon, which leads the standings.

IVC was able to tie Santiago Canyon the first time the two teams met.