Women's soccer team rallies to earn a tie with Saddleback

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

Irvine Valley's women's soccer team rallied with two goals in the second half and nearly had a third, but ended up with a 2-2 tie against Saddleback in an Orange Empire Conference match at home on Friday.

The tie was the third positive result in a row for IVC, which improved its record to 3-4-4 overall and 2-3-2 in conference play.

Saddleback's record went to 5-3-3 overall and 2-3-2 in conference.

Saddleback had the first real chance of the game when Nina Ferreira hit the post with a shot minutes into the contest.

But it took until the 34th minute for there to be any score.

And the Gauchos put up two goals within a two-minute span.

First, Yasaman Zarea took a through ball from Caitlin Dolan and scored to the lower right corner to give Saddleback a 1-0 lead.

Less than two minutes later, Chelsea Viera hit a left-footed shot from outside that beat IVC freshman keeper Heather Miller to the far post to make it a 2-0 game. Dolan again earned the assist.

Saddleback went into the half with the two-goal lead.

But Irvine Valley picked up its play in the second half. Sophomore forward Emily Rodriguez created a couple of early chances for the Lasers.

And then in the 67th minute, after a ball was shot into the box, freshman forward Cierra Savin took another shot that was saved by Saddleback's keeper.

IVC freshman midfielder Giselle Garcia was there for the rebound and goal to pull Irvine Valley within 2-1.

The Lasers continued to pressure and Garcia scored again in the 87th minute. This time her shot was from outside and in over the keeper. The assist went to sophomore midfielder Heaven Hernandez.

The two goals were Garcia's second and third in the last two games.

She nearly had another in the final minute after a ball was crossed in from Rodriguez from the left side. Garcia one-timed a shot, but it hit off the crossbar and bounced away.

The final whistle blew shortly after.

Miller ended up making six saves in goal for IVC.

The Lasers play again next Tuesday at Santiago Canyon, which leads the conference standings and is one of the top-ranked teams in the state. The match is slated for 3 p.m.