Women's soccer team loses in OEC contest at Santa Ana

Courtesy of On My Game Photography
Courtesy of On My Game Photography

Irvine Valley's women's soccer team suffered a frustrating 5-2 Orange Empire Conference defeat at Santa Ana on Friday afternoon.

The Lasers scored first in the contest and out-shot Santa Ana, 21-8, but it still wasn't enough.

IVC took a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute when sophomore forward Emily Rodriguez scored off an assist from sophomore forward Jade Stewart.

But Santa Ana followed with three straight goals, including getting two in a four minute span from Lizbeth Gonzalez to take a 3-1 lead into the half.

Santa Ana made it a 4-1 game with a goal by Leyna Wood, which was her second of the game, in the 54th minute.

A minute later, Rodriguez scored her second goal on a penalty kick to pull Irvine Valley to within 4-2.

But the Lasers didn't get any closer. Wood put the match away with her third goal of the game in the 76th minute.

Freshman keepers Heather Miller and Bryana Esparza each played a half in goal with Miller making one save and Esparza not having to make a save.

Fatima Pimentel made eight saves on the contest for Santa Ana.

Irvine Valley's record slipped to 2-4-2 overall and 0-3-1 in conference.

The Lasers host Cypress next Tuesday at 3 p.m.